Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 520

Epilogue 1. Aftermath (1)

The world, once turbulent due to the Demonic Cult’s uprising, regained stability as if nothing had happened.

Although the damage they caused was yet to be fully repaired, the reconstruction of cities was actively underway, and the people’s faces no longer reflected fear.

“It is truly fortunate that Chengdu seems to have regained its vitality. It is all thanks to the efforts of the Provincial Administration Commissioner,” said Deng Chaofan, the Regional Commander of Sichuan.

He was at the newly built Provincial Administration Office with the Provincial Inspector and the Provincial Administration Commissioner.

The Provincial Administration Commissioner, Wang Anmin, held his teacup and wore a smile.

“No, if the Regional Commander had not recaptured Chengdu, how could we have such a day? Moreover, you have made a great contribution by even subjugating the remnants of the Demonic Cult. Hahaha.”

However, Regional Commander Deng Chaofan shook his head.

“Isn’t that because Master Yun helped us? I didn’t do much.”

Provincial Inspector Li Yungul, who was next to him, said in a soft voice.

“But it is also true that the Regional Commander’s response was timely. Congratulations on your upcoming move to the central government.”

Regional Commander Deng Chaofan’s promotion was confirmed for his contribution to recapturing Chengdu.

His greatest wish as a local official, to advance to the central government, had been fulfilled.

Deng Chaofan smiled.

“It’s not just me, is it? I believe you two have already received word as well.”

Smiles spread across the faces of Provincial Inspector Li Yungul and Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Anmin.

They too were recognized for their contributions and were headed to the central political arena.

With all three local officials of Sichuan being promoted, it was truly a joyous occasion.

Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Anmin looked at Deng Chaofan and Li Yungul and said in a subtle tone.

“Once the reconstruction of Chengdu is settled, I will soon be heading up as well, so let’s continue to work well together in the future.”

Provincial Inspector Li Yungul, who would normally have hardened his face, and Regional Commander Deng Chaofan, who would have pretended not to hear, both wore smiles this time.

All three had the commonality of being indebted to Yun Hyun, and above all, connections were most important to survive in the central court, which was like a pandemonium.

“By the way, what happened to Gansu Province?”

Wang Anmin asked Provincial Inspector Li Yungul.

Li Yungul gave a bitter smile.

“Gansu Province is in chaos due to the large-scale inspection. All officials, not to mention high-ranking ones, are being investigated without exception.”

“Oh dear, that’s terrible.”

Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Anmin clicked his tongue, but Regional Commander Deng Chaofan nodded.

The Gansu region, where the Demonic Cult had risen, underwent a large-scale inspection.

Park Gonggong [a powerful eunuch], the Supreme Commander who suppressed the rebellion and established himself as an unshakable figure in the court, directly issued the order. Due to the inexcusable fault of neglecting the rise of the Demonic Cult, the Gansu government had no choice but to undergo inspection.

“No, there must be more than a few officials in Gansu. How can they inspect them all?”

Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Anmin asked with a puzzled expression.

Due to the autonomy of local officials, inspections by the central government were rare in themselves.

Moreover, how could they inspect all those numerous officials?

Provincial Inspector Li Yungul said, holding his teacup.

“Censor Jo Gwan is leading hundreds of Dochalwon [special investigation unit] officials under the orders of Park Gonggong to inspect Gansu. Not only have high-ranking officials been taken to Beijing, but countless others have already been imprisoned.”

Censor Jo Gwan commanded hundreds of Dochalwon officials to literally dig through the Gansu government.

Local officials were taken to Beijing, and most of the officials who had long been colluding with the region were dismissed, and some were even imprisoned depending on their crimes.

For a while, a sarcastic joke circulated in Gansu: ‘If you want to meet officials, go to jail.’

“Heh. Then Gansu must be in chaos now. Following the burning of the major city of Lanzhou, there’s the Dochalwon’s large-scale inspection…”

Wang Anmin clicked his tongue.

The Dochalwon’s full-scale inspection following the loss of Lanzhou was nothing short of a disaster.

“It’s not necessarily all bad.”

Clink.

Li Yungul said, putting down his teacup.

“Park Gonggong has promised massive support to Lanzhou and the entire Gansu region. Not only are corvée labor [unpaid labor owed to the state] and taxes being exempted, but it is said that relief rice has already been sent.”

Park Gonggong’s full support for the Gansu region instilled hope in the people.

The people, who had seen the corruption of officials, considered the central government’s inspection justified and even actively cooperated with the investigation.

“With the people’s circumstances improving, how could public sentiment be bad? Moreover, the officials of Gansu will have no choice but to be cautious for the time being due to this inspection.”

The reason why the corruption of officials does not disappear is because crimes are not punished.

Through this inspection, the officials of Gansu Province experienced the fact that corruption is accompanied by severe penalties.

It was enough to awaken the officials who had been immersed in the easygoing and lax atmosphere of the frontier.

Slurp.

Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Anmin sipped his tea with a satisfied expression.

The inspection of Gansu Province was someone else’s business anyway, and he only had to rebuild Chengdu safely and go to the central government.

‘The Imperial Palace.’

The thought alone was thrilling.

To stand shoulder to shoulder with the high-ranking officials who move the country, what else could this be if not success?

He would have to bow his head in front of Park Gonggong, but that was only natural and nothing strange.

Of course, he should not forget to repay Yun Hyun’s favor.

In order not to incur Park Gonggong’s wrath.

‘Well, we’ll probably never run into each other anyway.’

Yun Hyun is the leader of the Changryong Alliance and a Special Inspector.

Unless he commits corruption, there will be no reason for him in the court to get involved with Yun Hyun.

“Hehe.”

Wang Anmin smiled, stroking his teacup.

The appearance of the Provincial Administration Office, built larger and more magnificent than before, was very pleasing to Wang Anmin, as if it were showing his smooth path that would unfold from now on.

***

Mount Song, Shaolin Temple.

The historic Shaolin Temple was bustling with pilgrims from all over the world today as well.

It was only recently that the world was in turmoil due to the Demonic Cult, but the traces of the chaos could no longer be found.

The pilgrims had more relaxed expressions, and the noblewomen and young ladies who had refrained from going out had also visited Shaolin Temple in colorful attire for the first time in a long time.

Among them, the appearance of Mo Yongmi alone was enough to attract everyone’s attention.

Swish, swish.

Her splendid yet elegant figure, swaying hair, gentle eyes, and beautiful appearance were like looking at a painting of a beauty.

Above all, her soft smile was enough to make even passing young monks stop.

Although that smile was directed at the young man in scholar’s attire standing next to her, Yun Hyun.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” Mo Yongmi said with a smile.

“If you think about it, it wasn’t that long ago, but it feels like a really long time ago,” Yun Hyun nodded.

“That’s right. The time I met you here was before the fall of the Heroic Alliance.”

“Yes. It was when the Gihondan [secret society] was eating away at Shaolin.”

The monk next to them, Hyecheon, said with a bitter expression.

He, who had been staying in the Changryong Alliance, had also come to Shaolin after a long time.

“If the Alliance Leader and Guest Elder hadn’t told us…”

Hyecheon let out a soft sigh.

“It’s not just Shaolin. If it weren’t for the two of you, the world would have experienced great danger and chaos. Thank you again.”

He chanted a Buddhist prayer and put his palms together to Yun Hyun and Guest Elder.

Yun Hyun smiled and said.

“You’re welcome. It’s all thanks to everyone working together. Including you, Monk, and Miss Mo Yongmi.”

As Hyecheon said, it was the Changryong Alliance and the Changryong Sword Lord who quelled the chaos in the world.

“I didn’t do much,” Mo Yongmi smiled.

“Besides, I heard that the Changryong Sword Lord single-handedly defeated the Demonic Cult? That he was a divine being who briefly descended from the heavens.”

“Th, that’s…”

Yun Hyun’s face flushed.

The story of the Changryong Sword Lord defeating the Demonic Cult was being talked about in the world like a legendary heroic tale.

The fact that Hwanma [Demonic Cult Leader] tried to run away as soon as he saw the Changryong Sword Lord, or that the Changryong Sword Lord brought Hwanma to his knees with his peerless martial arts, was still spreading throughout the world through storytellers.

Moreover, as the story spread, the embellishments became more and more severe, and now there was even a rumor that the Changryong Sword Lord Yun Hyun was a divine being.

It was even added that his sword, Myeongmi, was a divine sword from the heavens.

“The Alliance Leader at that time was truly full of dignity,” Hyecheon said in admiration.

“When you declared it at the Gaepa Daejeon [Grand Inauguration Ceremony]. So many people couldn’t even breathe properly at the Alliance Leader’s words.”

When Yun Hyun first appeared on the platform of the Gaepa Daejeon, people greeted him with cheers.

Rejoicing at the appearance of a young hero who stood tall as the disciple of the Divine Monk Bulyeong and the leader of the Righteous Alliance.

But that atmosphere soon began to change.

―I am just a martial artist.

Yun Hyun’s quiet voice rang clearly in the ears of all the dignitaries in the venue.

Along with that, people felt a cold chill beginning to cover the entire venue.

That was by no means a delusion.

Tszzzzzzzz.

An untimely frost spread beneath Yun Hyun’s feet.

The people in the venue could clearly see the beautiful frost shining under the sunlight.

But no one turned their eyes to it.

―Weapons are like life to a martial artist. So on the day I draw my sword.

Yun Hyun declared, looking straight at the people.

―I will never put it away as it is.

Thud.

The venue was plunged into heavy silence.

It didn’t matter whether they were martial artists, government officials, or people from merchant guilds.

People could clearly know.

The person they were facing now was not a young hero, but an absolute being who dominated the Jianghu [martial arts world].

In the past, when the Martial Alliance collapsed and the saying ‘The only one who can stand against the Heroic Alliance is the Changryong Sword Lord’ circulated in the Yangtze River, people thought it was just a common rumor.

Even when he declared the Changryong Alliance alone and rescued Emei from the hands of the Taepyeong Alliance, which divided the world at the time, they thought it was thanks to the halo of the Divine Monk.

But when the Heroic Alliance collapsed and the whereabouts of the Heroic Alliance Leader, the Iron-Blooded Death King Yeom Jungbu, became unknown, the world finally realized.

The fact that Changryong Sword Lord Yun Hyun always keeps his word.

Not only that.

Even the Demonic Cult’s forces, which had thrown the world into chaos, could not stand against the Changryong Sword Lord.

Although there was a government army’s subjugation, there was no one who did not know the rumor that the Changryong Sword Lord had annihilated the Demonic Cult’s Hwanma.

Even now, Park Gonggong, who was the power holder of the court and the Supreme Commander, was sitting on the platform.

The sight of Park Gonggong quietly smiling behind Yun Hyun was even somewhat eerie.

―Thank you for coming like this.

Yun Hyun said with a smile.

At that moment, people unknowingly let out a sigh of relief.

The oppressive force and cold chill disappeared along with the frost.

And since that day, Yun Hyun has not appeared at any official events.

Thanks to this, the name of Changryong Sword Lord Yun Hyun was famous throughout the world, but there were few people who actually recognized him.

It was thanks to this that he was able to set foot in the crowded Shaolin like this.

“But, are you really a divine being?” Mo Yongmi asked with a mischievous smile.

“There’s no way I…”

Yun Hyun was about to say with an awkward expression.