Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 79

79. Her Plan

As expected.

From behind, the Young Palace Lord’s clear voice echoed.

“Of course not.”

Yunhyun’s face twisted in frustration, but it was a premature reaction.

Rustle.

The Young Palace Lord, who had been seated, gracefully rose.

With an exceptionally elegant and beautiful demeanor, she wore a captivating smile.

“But I am also curious. Why is it that the victory or defeat of a fair martial arts contest can be nullified by a few words from someone?”

Her enchanting smile immediately drew everyone’s attention.

“So, you could say that the Scholar’s words represent my intentions. Merely by coincidence, of course.”

“A coincidence…”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun offered a wry smile.

Though she called it a coincidence, it was clear the Bukhae Ice Palace had intervened to protect Yunhyun.

“Are you merely curious, or are you officially questioning the outcome?”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun pressed.

“I am merely curious.”

The Young Palace Lord replied with a smile.

This indicated she wouldn’t escalate the issue and was also preventing Yunhyun from further protest.

She wanted to end the matter there.

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun nodded.

“I understand. Then let’s conclude this here.”

Yunhyun gritted his teeth.

Nothing had changed.

But with the Young Palace Lord clearly signaling her intention to withdraw, he had no further recourse.

He hadn’t been invited to this event, nor was he an official participant.

‘I am…’

Yunhyun felt crushed.

‘I am still nothing.’

Nothing at all.

Without the Bukhae Ice Palace, he couldn’t challenge absurdity and injustice. Without hiding behind the false name of the Azure Dragon Sword Lord, he couldn’t even offer meaningful advice.

Yunhyun lacked the confidence to face Pajinhan, who remained on the martial arts stage.

Swish.

Yunhyun bit his lip and turned away.

“Someday.”

From behind, Namgungsanghyuk’s mocking voice lashed out.

“The day you set foot on the Namgung Clan’s land will be your death anniversary.”

Yunhyun turned his head.

Namgungsanghyuk sneered, glaring at him.

“Is that so?”

Yunhyun chuckled, then raised his head.

Despite his heavy heart, he refused to appear submissive to such a person.

With a confident gaze, Yunhyun retorted.

“Do as you please. I am not afraid of the sword of someone without pride.”

Namgungsanghyuk’s expression contorted.

Yunhyun turned away again.

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun raised a hand, preventing Namgungsanghyuk from saying more.

Gritting.

Namgungsanghyuk gnashed his teeth, but he was powerless to act.

Step.

Yunhyun approached the Young Palace Lord and bowed politely.

“Thank you.”

Though she hadn’t fully supported him, her help was undeniable.

“You’re welcome.”

The Young Palace Lord smiled and said quietly.

“The Scholar is someone we have formally invited with respect.”

Perhaps it was a Bukhae custom, but Yunhyun felt grateful.

The Young Palace Lord continued in a low voice.

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave this place for a while?”

Her suggestion was wise, and Yunhyun no longer wished to remain.

“I will.”

Yunhyun hesitated.

He wanted to look back at Pajinhan, but he couldn’t bring himself to face him.

Step, step.

With a biting lip and a gloomy expression, Yunhyun departed, ignoring Namgungsanghyuk’s resentful gaze.

Even after Yunhyun’s departure, an uneasy atmosphere lingered on the martial arts stage.

“Now, let’s proceed with the next martial arts contest.”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun attempted to calm the younger generation.

“Then the next order is…, oh my.”

A bitter smile touched Yeonghojun’s lips.

“Should I call this a coincidence?”

He glanced back and forth between Namgungsanghyuk and the Young Palace Lord of the Bukhae Ice Palace.

The next match was between Namgungsanghyuk and a representative from the Bukhae Ice Palace.

“Hmph!”

Namgungsanghyuk wore a triumphant smile, as if this turn of events pleased him, and stepped onto the stage.

The Young Palace Lord remained seated and addressed Yeonghojun.

“As I mentioned, I will appoint a proxy.”

She had previously stated she would appoint a proxy due to physical discomfort from her long journey.

In that case, the result wouldn’t be officially recognized, but it was inconsequential since the Bukhae Ice Palace wasn’t affiliated with the Murim Alliance anyway.

“I understand.”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun nodded.

But the Young Palace Lord wasn’t finished.

“And one thing, there is something I want to confirm.”

“Confirm?”

As Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun repeated the word, the Young Palace Lord spoke in a clear voice.

“In Bukhae, facing a sword is a very sacred act. I do not want any misunderstandings or differences of opinion like the previous one to occur in this martial arts contest.”

Her words were persuasive.

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun nodded.

“Therefore, I want to know what the result of the martial arts contest is without any room for controversy. In Bukhae, it refers to cutting off the opponent’s head…”

“That’s a bit difficult.”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun said with a smile.

Decapitation would turn the contest into a bloody, life-or-death duel.

Such an event in the middle of the Murim Alliance would be a serious problem.

“Then what should we do?”

“Well, I don’t know?”

Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun shrugged.

The victory or defeat of a martial arts contest was usually obvious, but her specific question made it ambiguous.

“Perhaps, would it be acceptable if the opponent admits defeat?”

At the Young Palace Lord’s suggestion, Plum Blossom Sword Yeonghojun nodded.

“Of course, that’s right.”

“I see.”

The Young Palace Lord nodded, satisfied, and said:

“Binghon.”

“Yes.”

Binghon, her chosen proxy, immediately bowed.

“Did you hear that? To the opponent, Young Master Namgung.”

The Young Palace Lord continued, her red lips moving.

“Until you admit defeat yourself.”

Binghon’s cold expression remained unchanged.

He bowed and replied.

“I will do so.”

Binghon raised his head.

Namgungsanghyuk’s face on the martial arts stage was turning red and blue.

Were they implying they would not only defeat him but force him to admit defeat?

“How dare the Bukhae Ice Palace…”

Step.

Binghon’s heavy footsteps cut off Namgungsanghyuk’s words.

Step, step.

The Young Palace Lord, watching Binghon’s back as he approached the stage, wore a faint smile.

However, the smile on her alluring red lips was exceptionally cold.

***

Dawn broke in Hangzhou, marking the final day of the Yongbong Assembly.

Many welcomed the dawn with anticipation for the public martial arts contest, but for some, the Yongbong Assembly was no longer of interest.

The Young Palace Lord of the Bukhae Ice Palace was one of them.

For her, this dawn held a different significance.

Rustle.

A thin letter rustled in her white hand.

The Young Palace Lord’s expression as she read the letter was icy, and Bingseol and Binghon, standing behind her, were silent and stiff.

“Binghon.”

“Yes.”

Binghon immediately bowed. The Young Palace Lord spoke quietly, but with unwavering resolve.

“Have the Seolyeongdae [Snow Shadow Squad, an elite unit] stand by.”

Binghon’s eyes flashed.

The Seolyeongdae had been prepared in case the letter didn’t arrive. Now that it had, they were technically unnecessary.

However, Binghon didn’t question the order. It wasn’t his place.

“Move according to the plan, but do not proceed to the final stage until I give the order. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Binghon bowed, accepting the order.

The Young Palace Lord looked at him and suddenly smiled.

“Do you want to ask, why?”

Her voice was exceptionally kind and gentle, but Binghon felt a chill.

In Bukhae, such an expression often preceded someone’s demise.

“Wouldn’t it… be a problem?”

Binghon asked in a low voice.

Instead of questioning the order, he expressed concern about the potential repercussions.

The Seolyeongdae’s ‘plan’ targeted the younger generation of factions affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

Among them were descendants of powerful clans.

If the Seolyeongdae completed its mission as originally planned, the consequences would be severe.

“Hehe.”

The Young Palace Lord chuckled.

“Conflicts between martial artists are common in the Jianghu Murim [the martial arts world]. Young people full of vigor often draw swords over small disputes, sometimes losing their lives as a result.”

With a smirk, she continued.

“Even if it is a tragedy that befalls the younger generation who participated in the Yongbong Assembly.”

Binghon knew she wouldn’t change her mind.

Swish.

Bowing to acknowledge the order, Binghon quietly left the lodgings.

“Bingseol.”

The Young Palace Lord turned her head.

Bingseol, who had been silently guarding her, bowed in response.

“Now it’s your turn.”

The Young Palace Lord’s voice trembled slightly.

However, Bingseol answered with her usual expressionless face.

“Yes.”

The answer was short, but its meaning was significant.

***

Hangzhou bustled from early morning.

Today was the final day of the Yongbong Assembly, when the ultimate winner would be decided.

Not only gossip enthusiasts, but also those with vested interests in the Jianghu Murim, and those eager to witness the talents of the younger generation, flocked to Hangzhou.

The same was true for the younger martial artists participating in the Yongbong Assembly.

Being selected as Yongbong [Dragon-Phoenix, representing exceptional talent] in the Assembly was a great honor.

This opportunity to shine in the Jianghu Murim under the Murim Alliance banner, not just as a member of a specific faction, was a dream for every young martial artist.

Some gathered to claim glory, others to witness it.

However, on this final day, Yunhyun was packing his luggage alone in his lodgings.

“Hmm, what should I do with this?”

Yunhyun muttered, holding up the wooden sword wrapped in cheap cloth.

He had bought it in downtown Hangzhou before meeting Pajinhan, but hadn’t used it once.

“I bought it, so it’s a waste to leave it behind, but it’s useless even if I take it…”

Yunhyun planned to stop assisting the Bukhae Ice Palace today.

In truth, there was nothing left to do.

The Bukhae Ice Palace had withdrawn from the martial arts contest.

Binghon had easily won his match, but the Young Palace Lord had declared her absence from the official competition.

Yunhyun wasn’t interested in the fact that Namgungsanghyuk, after being defeated, had regained his chance, only to forfeit due to injuries sustained from Binghon.

With the Bukhae Ice Palace’s business concluded, Yunhyun was packing.

‘Once I leave, I should find a cheap lodging in downtown Hangzhou.’

There, he would prepare for the Murim Alliance scribe exam.

He was returning to his student days, so he needed to save money.

“It’s a waste, so I’ll take it.”

Yunhyun decided to keep the wooden sword.