Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 68

068. Waryongheon (1)

“Why do you think so, Young Master Zhuge?”

Someone asked, and Zhuge Ryong shrugged.

“Who in the current Murim [martial arts world] possesses such an aura? The question is, which one of them is it?”

Several people nodded at his assertive words.

“Could it perhaps be the Divine Monk…?”

Someone muttered quietly.

If it’s one of the Hwanwoo Five Greats [five most powerful figures] from the Murim Alliance, naturally, the Divine Monk, Bulyeong Daesa, comes to mind first.

“No, that’s not it.”

However, Zhuge Ryong firmly denied that speculation.

“If it were him yesterday, wouldn’t Plum Blossom Sword have recognized him?”

His words seemed plausible, so people nodded.

“Then, does Young Master Zhuge have any idea about the identity of that person?”

“Well…?”

Zhuge Ryong slowly raised his teacup, stalling for time.

Just as his ambiguous answer was further stimulating people’s curiosity, the door opened, and Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, entered.

“Grandmaster!”

People who discovered Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, rose from their seats.

Of course, only the participants from the Righteous Faction, centered around Sima Geon of the Mount Hua Sect.

“How is it? The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering isn’t all that enjoyable, is it?”

Small smiles spread among the participants at Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun’s words.

“But tonight will be enjoyable, so don’t worry. Although it’s unofficial, a banquet has been prepared. I’ll make the introductions that I couldn’t make at yesterday’s martial arts competition at the banquet, so everyone, dress smartly and come out.”

Light excitement and anticipation flowed among the participants at the mention of the banquet.

It was because they felt that the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, which they hadn’t fully realized due to yesterday’s sudden martial arts competition and today’s tedious lectures, was finally beginning.

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, wore a satisfied smile as he looked around at the participants, then suddenly stopped his gaze on the group from the Bukhae Ice Palace.

“Ah, and the guests from the Bukhae Ice Palace who have come from afar…”

Along with Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun’s words, the participants’ gazes turned to the Bukhae Ice Palace group.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard your names yet. What is your honorable name, Miss?”

‘Bangmyeong’ [honorable name] refers to a beautiful, flower-like name.

It was a perfect word for the young palace lord of Bukhae, who was like a single ice flower, and all the gazes of the younger generation instantly focused on the young palace lord.

“Hehe.”

The young palace lord of Bukhae, who was holding a teacup, laughed lightly.

As everyone stared blankly at the charming smile spreading across her red lips, the young palace lord slowly opened her mouth.

“Why do you want to know my name?”

The words that came from between her slightly parted red lips were not very friendly.

Yeongho-jun shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s not that I necessarily need to know, but it’s inconvenient to keep calling you guests from Bukhae.”

The beautiful young palace lord smiled at Yeongho-jun’s easygoing reaction.

“I am the young palace lord of the Bukhae Ice Palace. It is sufficient to call me that.”

However, Yeongho-jun did not give up easily.

“Isn’t it too harsh to call such a beautiful woman by such a stiff title? Or do you perhaps not have a name?”

Laughter rippled from among the people at his playful words.

However, the young palace lord’s expression did not change at all.

“A lifelong enemy with whom one will surely decide life and death, or a partner for life.”

A clear and enchanting, yet cold voice filled with a chilly aura flowed out.

Amidst the silence where everyone had closed their mouths, the young palace lord’s red lips, holding the teacup, parted slightly.

“In Bukhae, the only ones to whom we reveal our true names are those two.”

Silence followed.

There was no special inner strength contained within, nor was it filled with a fearsome aura.

However, everyone was momentarily speechless at the sense of intimidation contained in her words.

Those who have stood above others since birth.

The young palace lord of the Bukhae Ice Palace possessed that unique atmosphere.

“Haha, is that so?”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun’s laughter broke the silence.

“If I had to choose, I would naturally prefer the latter over the former, but unfortunately, as an ordained priest, it won’t be easy for me right now.”

It was a bit much to call it a joke from a Mount Hua Sect Taoist, but the young palace lord merely wore a faint smile.

“But not saying your name means that you haven’t become a mortal enemy, at least. Isn’t that so?”

A slight gleam flashed in the young palace lord’s eyes. However, she did not show it and nodded lightly.

“That’s good enough for me. Well then, the Bukhae’s young palace lord and her party.”

Yeongho-jun continued with a bright smile.

“Please prepare to meet the Divine Monk.”

Thud.

A different kind of shock than before enveloped the surroundings.

The younger generation was astonished, as if they couldn’t believe it, and the young palace lord also widened her eyes.

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, wore a rather satisfied expression at that reaction.

“Congratulations.”

Those short words contained many meanings.

Only then did the other participants begin to murmur among themselves, and the young palace lord also put down her teacup and rose from her seat.

Rustle.

“Thank you for accepting our request.”

The young palace lord put her hands together and bowed politely.

That elegant figure was as beautiful as a painting.

And only then did Woon-hyeon realize that the young palace lord had requested to meet the Divine Monk.

“I didn’t give permission, so there’s no need for thanks.”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, waved his hand.

Meeting the Divine Monk, Bulyeong Daesa, is not an easy task even for the great sects.

Moreover, for the Bukhae Ice Palace group to meet the Divine Monk was, in any sense, an extraordinary event.

“…A moment ago, did you say ‘my party’?”

The young palace lord asked with a questioning look. Compared to the others who had not yet recovered from the shock, it was a remarkable insight.

“That’s right.”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, smiled.

“The Divine Monk clearly stated that it includes everyone who entered the Murim Alliance with the young palace lord. So those people as well.”

Yeongho-jun’s gaze turned to Binghon, Bingseol, and then to Woon-hyeon in turn.

But Woon-hyeon was lost in thought.

‘In Bukhae, they only reveal their names to certain people?’

Woon-hyeon tilted his head.

‘Then what do they call each other usually? For example, if they don’t have an official title or…’

What about family? Do they make an exception for parents who give them their names? What happens if they accidentally reveal their name?

While Woon-hyeon was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a gaze and raised his head.

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, as well as the young palace lord, and the other participants were all looking at Woon-hyeon himself.

“Yes?”

Woon-hyeon said without realizing it. Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, grinned.

“Please prepare. Meeting the Divine Monk is not a frequent occurrence.”

It’s not just that it’s not a frequent occurrence.

He is the one who made today’s Murim Alliance possible, and one of the Hwanwoo Five Greats, the best of the best, the Divine Monk, Bulyeong Daesa.

It was truly great luck to have such an incredible opportunity thanks to being part of the Bukhae Ice Palace’s group.

“Thank you.”

The person who answered was not Woon-hyeon, but the young palace lord.

“Then we will leave first. As you said, there are many things to prepare.”

The young palace lord, who was already standing, immediately moved her steps.

Binghon and the maid Bingseol followed her, and Woon-hyeon also awkwardly moved his feet along with them.

Murmur, murmur.

Even after they left, the commotion did not subside easily.

The surprise at the extraordinary event passed, and grumbling about the Bukhae Ice Palace, which was merely a foreign sect, receiving excessive treatment was leaking out from here and there.

The Divine Monk founded the Murim Alliance and is, in effect, the leader of the Murim Alliance.

However, he has not appeared in official positions for several years.

In the beginning, there were many speculations, but the Murim Alliance and Shaolin clearly stated that Bulyeong Daesa was the Divine Monk and the core of the Murim Alliance.

Since then, the name of the Divine Monk, Bulyeong, has come to represent the Murim Alliance.

Officially, he was not the leader, and he hardly ever showed his face, but the name of the Divine Monk only grew higher along with the power of the Murim Alliance.

So, the dissatisfaction of the younger generation now was perhaps natural.

“Excuse me, Yeongho-jun…, Grandmaster.”

The gazes of the people were all focused on the hesitant voice of someone.

“What is it?”

Yeongho-jun turned his head to the person who called him.

It was none other than his junior brother, Sima Geon of the Mount Hua Sect.

“Then, was that person yesterday perhaps the Divine Monk?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, smiled wryly. Although he was from the same Mount Hua Sect and a junior brother, Sima Geon’s question was too foolish.

“But it seems like everyone is curious, so I’ll tell you. Anyway, the Bukhae Ice Palace group will naturally find out when they come back.”

Yeongho-jun sighed lightly and said.

“That person is the Sword Saint.”

A look of astonishment flashed across the faces of the participants.

“The sky of swords, Sword Saint, Yi Geom-hak. You guys are lucky.”

Plum Blossom Sword, Yeongho-jun, said with a grin, but no one among the younger generation was smiling.

Sword Saint, Yi Geom-hak.

The only existence in Gangho [martial world] Murim who alone has influence comparable to the Murim Alliance.

He is the one who is dared to be called the sky of swords as a human, that was the Sword Saint, Yi Geom-hak.

***

Chirp, chirp, purr.

The birds of Waryongheon, startled by the visitors, flapped their wings.

Compared to the usual silence, today’s visit was an extraordinary event that would surprise the birds.

“This is the place.”

Gwanjibu lowered his voice and bowed deeply.

His polite and cautious steps clearly showed what Waryongheon meant within the Murim Alliance.

“The Divine Monk is with a guest. Please be especially careful with your words and actions.”

Gwanjibu, who had lowered his head, urged in a cautious voice.

“If it’s a guest, who might it be?”

The young palace lord asked.

It was unexpected that they were invited to the Bukhae Ice Palace group and were with another guest.

It may have been an unexpected visit, but having them meet together without making the Bukhae group wait indicated that this was intentional.

However, Gwanjibu did not answer.

It was not his place to reveal the Divine Monk’s affairs without permission, and the object of his respect was the Divine Monk, not the Bukhae group.

The young palace lord also noticed that.

“Hoo.”

She took a moment to catch her breath.

The guest who is with the Divine Monk will never be an ordinary person.

Then it is right to prepare for any eventuality.

Rustle.

The young palace lord moved her steps and entered Waryongheon.

Bingseol and Binghon followed her, and finally, Woon-hyeon moved his feet with an awkward expression.

Woon-hyeon glanced back, but Gwanjibu was still bowing deeply without straightening his back.

Purr.

The birds, startled by the visitors, flapped their wings and flew from branch to branch.

Waryongheon was more shabby than Woon-hyeon thought.

A few unsightly trees and a few small birds that can be seen anywhere, and a garden where weeds are more visible than flowers.

Woon-hyeon frowned slightly.

‘It seemed like a great place, but this is…’

Gwanjibu showed the utmost respect for Waryongheon.

Moreover, the Divine Monk, Bulyeong Daesa, is one of the Hwanwoo Five Greats, isn’t he a master among masters?

Although he had tagged along as part of the Bukhae Ice Palace’s group, Woon-hyeon’s heart was pounding as he entered Waryongheon.

But the first impression of that Waryongheon did not meet Woon-hyeon’s expectations at all.

‘Of course, it’s more about the person than the building. But even so, this is a bit…, it seems severely shabby?’

The Forbidden City of the Forbidden City is clearly noticeable to everyone.

First of all, the building is large and magnificent, and the huge golden double roof displays the rank with small statues.

Of course, the tiger-like Geumuiwi [imperial guards] stand guard like an iron wall, and even the smallest thing is never treated carelessly.

But it was not easy for Woon-hyeon to understand that the residence of the Divine Monk, Bulyeong Daesa, who is in fact the leader of the Murim Alliance, which is currently dominating Murim, is so shabby.

Rustle, rustle.

Compared to Woon-hyeon, who was looking around, the young palace lord moved her steps without any disturbance.

And soon, the owner of Waryongheon revealed himself before the group.

“Hehehe, welcome.”