Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 90

090. Moryongmi’s Return

After the Heartless Sect’s attack, the merchant ship continued smoothly up the Jang River.

Although the crew was busy tending to the injured and dealing with the captured bandits, things returned to normal after a brief stop.

As expected of the prestigious Hoam Merchant Guild, new sailors quickly replaced the injured crew members. The captured bandits, meanwhile, were tied up and hauled off the ship one by one.

“What’ll happen to them?”

Unhyun stood on the deck, watching the bandits being led away.

Jang Gyeonggyu, standing beside him, replied, “Well, I imagine they’ll be handed over to the local authorities. They’ll have a hard time avoiding a severe punishment.”

Unhyun clicked his tongue softly as he looked at the bandits.

Most of them had suffered minor and major injuries, and few had received proper medical attention.

“They’re pitiful.”

Jang Gyeonggyu responded to Unhyun’s murmur, “Still, they’re luckier than the ones who were killed and tossed into the Jang River.”

“It’s neither lucky nor unlucky.”

Unhyun and Jang Gyeonggyu were startled and turned toward the clear voice that suddenly spoke from behind them.

The voice belonged to a very young woman.

“They’re just getting what they deserve.”
Dressed in the Namgung Clan’s uniform, it was Lee Seoyeon.

She confidently walked to the railing and looked down at the bandits, her eyes cold as she spoke. “They targeted the lives and property of others, so it’s only natural they lose their own. They’ll probably receive such a severe punishment that they’ll envy those who died first.”

She turned to Unhyun and said with a bright smile, “Hello. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“Ah, yes, hello.”

Unhyun quickly returned her greeting.

Jang Gyeonggyu nudged Unhyun, silently asking what was going on.

Unhyun explained to Jang Gyeonggyu, “She’s the one who saved us.”

“Ah, that’s right!”

Jang Gyeonggyu’s eyes widened in surprise.

He realized she was the one who had dealt with two bandits and saved them. At the time, Jang Gyeonggyu had been drunk and standing behind Unhyun, so he hadn’t recognized her immediately.

“If I remember correctly, I don’t think I’ve heard a word of thanks yet?”

At Lee Seoyeon’s slightly sulky words, Unhyun finally snapped to attention.

‘Oh no!’

Unhyun quickly straightened his posture and bowed politely. “Thank you for your help.”

“Th, thank you,” Jang Gyeonggyu stammered, bowing along with him.

Lee Seoyeon smiled and inclined her head toward Unhyun. “I’m Lee Seoyeon from the Hoam Merchant Guild. I was just teasing, so don’t worry about it.”

Her bright smile and voice were pleasant to hear.

Jang Gyeonggyu stared blankly at Lee Seoyeon, while Unhyun tilted his head, puzzled. “Hoam Merchant Guild, you say?”

He had assumed she was a young lady from the Namgung Clan because she was wearing their uniform and traveling with them.

It was unexpected that she was from the Hoam Merchant Guild.

Lee Seoyeon smiled slightly at Unhyun’s reaction. “I’ve been learning swordsmanship at the Namgung Clan for several years. But I’m not yet a member of the Namgung Clan.”

“I see.”

Unhyun nodded.

He didn’t know the details, but he figured it was possible, given the close relationship between the Hoam Merchant Guild and the Namgung Clan.

“Are you going all the way to Junggyeong [central capital]?”

“I’m only going to Dongting Lake. Those who are going to Junggyeong are–”

“Really?”

Lee Seoyeon’s voice cut off Unhyun’s words.

“I’m going to Dongting Lake too, so we’ll be getting off together. Well, then, I’ll be going.”

She waved her hand lightly and walked away.

As Lee Seoyeon left, Unhyun couldn’t even say goodbye and simply stared at the back of her head.

“Dongting Lake is where the Hoam Merchant Guild’s main family is located,” Jang Gyeonggyu muttered, tilting his head.

“Could she be a relative of Lee Hoam?”

“Lee Hoam?”

At Unhyun’s question, Jang Gyeonggyu frowned. “You don’t know Lee Hoam, the highest elder of the Hoam Merchant Guild? They may not be one of the top three merchant guilds in the world, but he’s definitely among the top five richest merchants.”

Unhyun shook his head.

He didn’t even know the top three merchant guilds, so there was no way he would know the Hoam Merchant Guild, which was said to be among the top five.

“Haven’t you been studying too hard? You don’t know anything.”

Unhyun shrugged.

What was wrong with not knowing the name of a merchant guild?

“Anyway, it seems like she’s taken, so there’s no use in you setting your sights on her. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

“Taken?”

“Didn’t you hear what she said earlier? She said she’s not *yet* a member of the Namgung Clan, didn’t she? If she said ‘not yet,’ that means she’ll eventually become one.”

Unhyun nodded, impressed by Jang Gyeonggyu’s reasoning.

He hadn’t noticed it because he was flustered earlier, but now that he heard it, it seemed like that’s what she meant.

“It’s a good thing, actually. That kind of woman is tough. Moreover, she’s learned swordsmanship, so if you ever have a marital fight, you’ll be at least seriously injured.”

It was a mischievous joke.

Anyone could see that there was no possibility of a young lady from the Hoam Merchant Guild and a failed scholar getting together.

But Unhyun wasn’t used to such jokes.

“Yes? No, what marital fight between people who only know each other’s names…”

Jang Gyeonggyu became even more excited at Unhyun’s flustered reaction.

“Oh my goodness. I don’t know if I’m being too harsh on someone who’s been rejected. Should I buy you a drink to cheer you up?”

“Rejected?”

Unhyun frowned, but Jang Gyeonggyu didn’t stop teasing him.

Meanwhile, the merchant ship, having finished its business, began to leave the pier.

Splash.

As he watched the waves of the Jang River crashing against the deck again, Unhyun suddenly thought.

‘By the way, that’s a strange modifier. It’s not one of the top three merchant guilds in the world, but it’s definitely among the top five…’

Depending on how you heard it, it could even sound like an insult.

It implied that there was an insurmountable gap between the top three merchant guilds and the Hoam Merchant Guild.

‘Well, it’s not my business to worry about.’

Unhyun shrugged.

It was already a great thing to be among the top five in the world.

There was no need for Unhyun to worry about such people in his current situation.

Unhyun thought this as he watched the pier recede into the distance.

The large merchant ship slowly began to sail up the mighty Jang River again.

***

“The head of the Outer Hall has arrived.”

At the quiet announcement from the servant, Guan Ilgeom Moryong Dancheon, the head of the Moryong Clan, was overjoyed.

“Oh, really? Tell her to come in quickly.”

He had already received word that she had returned from Hangzhou, so he had been waiting for her.

A moment later, the door quietly opened, and a young lady dressed in elegant clothes entered the study.

Squeak.

It was Moryongmi, who had left for the Yongbong Gathering [a gathering of young martial artists from prominent clans].

Moryongmi, unaware of Moryongjin’s change, saw the eldest disciple, Moryongjin, sitting next to Moryong Dancheon.

It was surprising, but she didn’t show it and first paid her respects to the head of the family.

“I have returned from the Yongbong Gathering as ordered.”

Moryong Dancheon smiled brightly. “You’ve worked hard. You must have suffered on the long journey.”

It was a short but sincere statement from Moryong Dancheon.

Moryongmi smiled and bowed her head lightly to express her gratitude, and Moryong Dancheon gestured for her to sit down.

Rustle.

Moryong Dancheon watched Moryongmi, who sat down with graceful movements, with a proud look. The eldest disciple, Moryongjin, also watched his younger sister with a pleased expression.

“So, how was the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance]?”

Moryong Dancheon asked as soon as Moryongmi sat down.

“There were no particular gains, but I was able to grasp the circumstances of the other sects and the atmosphere of the Murim Alliance. The details are recorded here.”

Rustle.

Moryongmi placed a thin book on the table.

Moryong Dancheon let out a hearty laugh. “Haha, that’s enough for the first attempt. Where is it easy to find someone to work with on a big project? By the way…”

Moryong Dancheon lowered his voice slightly. “Was there anyone who caught your eye?”

At Moryong Dancheon’s words, Moryongmi thought for a moment and then replied, “The young lady Namgung Biyeon of the Namgung Clan was quite impressive, but Namgung Sanghyeok of the same clan is light in his actions and arrogant in his words, making it difficult to work with him. And…”

“Oh dear. Tsk, tsk.”

Moryongmi’s answer was cut off by Moryong Dancheon’s sudden clicking of his tongue.

“Who asked you to listen to those words? Mia, wasn’t there a *man* who pleased you?”

Moryong Dancheon calling her ‘Mia’ meant that this conversation was extremely private, a conversation between family members.

Only then did Moryongmi realize Moryong Dancheon’s intention and blushed. “Gr, grandfather…”

“Haha, seeing my sister blush, it seems there was someone who pleased her,” Moryongjin, who was sitting next to her, added.

Moryong Dancheon’s eyes widened. “Really? Was there really someone who caught your eye?”

Moryongmi, thinking about how far this problem would grow, hardened her face and said in a firm voice, “No. There wasn’t.”

“Aww, tsk, tsk.”

Moryong Dancheon looked disappointed, as if his excitement had been deflated.

However, Moryongmi herself was inwardly embarrassed by the image of someone who had suddenly come to mind.

‘Why did that person’s image suddenly appear…’

The Yongbong Gathering was a place where the inner thoughts of each sect and the younger generation were intricately intertwined.

But was it just a coincidence that the image of a scholar who exuded a particularly detached and simple atmosphere stood out among them?

“Mia, there was also good news here while you were away.”

Moryongmi looked at Moryong Dancheon.

Moryong Dancheon’s eyes were shining with pride. “Jin has returned.”

Moryongmi said nothing.

Instead, she quietly got up from her seat, put her hands together, and slowly bowed to Moryong Dancheon. “Congratulations, grandfather.”

“Yes.”

Moryong Dancheon received Moryongmi’s congratulations with a happy heart.

The return of the eldest disciple, Moryongjin, had a very significant meaning for the Moryong Clan.

Squeak.

Moryongmi turned her body slightly towards the eldest disciple, Moryongjin. “Congratulations, brother.”

Moryongmi’s voice was slightly trembling as she spoke.

Moryongjin, who was receiving the greeting, also had tears in his eyes.

He knew very well how much worry and trouble he had caused his family because of his shortcomings.

“I’m sorry for causing you and grandfather so much worry and trouble because of my inadequacy. I’m really sorry as your older brother.”

Moryongmi shook her head without saying a word.

She had guessed it when she saw her brother Moryongjin with them, but hearing it directly like this made her feel like tears would burst out.

Moryongmi forced a smile and said, “Then, from now on, brother will be in charge of the Outer Hall…”

Moryongmi thought that the eldest disciple’s return would naturally mean that.

However, both Moryongjin and Moryong Dancheon shook their heads.

Moryongmi looked at Moryong Dancheon with a puzzled expression.

“Jin has decided to take charge of the disciples’ training. He wants to focus on finding his sword for a while.”

‘His sword?’

That was a rather strange statement.

Moryongmi was just about to ask about it when a servant’s voice was heard from outside.

“Lord.”

“The second young lady has arrived.”

“Oh, Sang-ah? Tell her to come in.”

At Moryong Dancheon’s words, the door quietly opened a moment later, and a small girl ran in with a bounce.

“Grandfather!”

“Yes, hahaha.”

Moryong Sang-ah clung to Moryong Dancheon as soon as she entered the study, without even greeting him.

Moryongmi frowned slightly. “Sang-ah. Don’t be rude to grandfather again.”

However, Moryong Sang-ah pouted at Moryongmi. “Hmph. You came here without even telling me. I hate you, sister.”

Moryongmi smiled at her younger sister’s grumbling. “But I can’t bring your presents here.”

“Presents? Really?”

Moryong Sang-ah quickly brightened up at her sister’s words.

Moryong Sang-ah jumped into Moryongmi’s arms and laughed. “I knew you were the only one for me, sister. Hehe.”

Moryongmi smiled as she held her younger sister in her arms.

The head of the family, Moryong Dancheon, who was watching the scene with a pleased expression, cautiously brought up the topic. “Mia, have you heard how Jin was able to pick up his sword again?”