Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 98

98. Savior

From the day after returning from Yueyang Tower, a kind of lull settled between Woon-hyun and Il Ah-young.

Il Ah-young was still cold to Woon-hyun, but that was it; she didn’t pick pointless fights like before.

Woon-hyun, too, was silently engrossed in tending the courtyard.

But his heart was uneasy.

He wanted to help his sister-in-law and Il Ah-young, but he couldn’t figure out how.

“Should I just pretend I don’t know and slip it to them?”

Woon-hyun muttered, lifting the heavy pouch.

Inside were exactly half the coins Woon-hyun had saved while staying at the Imperial Palace.

Of course, it was quite a sum for Woon-hyun, but nowhere near enough to cover Il Ah-young’s wedding expenses.

However, he felt he couldn’t ease his guilty conscience unless he gave them even this much.

“If I give them this, Young Miss Ah-young might not even want to look at me, but I’m leaving anyway.”

He was staying at his brother’s house hoping to be of some help, but he wasn’t going to live here.

If he left it discreetly, she wouldn’t possibly follow him to return it.

“No. Knowing Young Miss Ah-young’s personality, she might throw a fit and toss it away. She might not even touch it. Isn’t there a way to give it to her honorably?”

Woon-hyun pondered.

But he couldn’t think of any excuse to hand over the money pouch.

“Should I say it’s for living expenses? No. Then should I bury it somewhere in the courtyard and then….”

Woon-hyun knew his worries were absurd.

But sometimes, compassion only makes the other person feel more miserable, so he was full of good intentions but couldn’t find a way.

“Huh?”

Woon-hyun, who had been sighing, suddenly looked at the door.

But he didn’t sense anyone trying to come in.

Woon-hyun got up and opened the door.

Click.

But again, there was no one outside. Woon-hyun tilted his head and looked around.

“That’s strange? I felt like someone was watching….”

But there was no way someone could be watching without a hole in the door.

Woon-hyun couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling, even though he knew it didn’t make sense.

Just then.

“Come this way!”

A small voice was heard from the direction of the main gate.

Woon-hyun stopped closing the door and quietly listened.

“Come this way!”

This time, the voice was a little louder than before.

‘Who is it?’

Woon-hyun left the room out of curiosity.

He had been staying in this house for several days, but there hadn’t been any visitors or even people coming and going.

So he couldn’t help but wonder who had come to this house.

“Come this way!”

Woon-hyun hurried, worried that the visitor might give up.

***

“You said a life debt?”

The lady asked back with a bewildered expression.

But the middle-aged man standing before the lady bowed politely.

“Yes, that is correct.”

The middle-aged man carefully took out a letter from his chest and presented it to the lady with both hands.

“My master has instructed me to deliver this letter.”

Rattle.

The lady hesitated for a moment before accepting the letter he offered.

While the lady took out the letter and began to read, Il Ah-young, standing beside her, also had a curious expression on her face.

But she didn’t dare to glance at the letter.

Meanwhile, Woon-hyun was observing the middle-aged man who had brought the letter.

‘He’s a very polite man for a messenger.’

The middle-aged man hadn’t shown any disheveled appearance since entering the house.

Since the subordinate’s conduct was like this, one could guess that the person he called master was also no ordinary person.

Rattle.

Although she had finished reading the letter, the lady still had a bewildered expression.

“Ah-young.”

The lady handed the letter to her daughter, Il Ah-young, and Il Ah-young began to examine the letter.

Meanwhile, the lady spoke to the middle-aged man.

“A person who received a life debt from my late husband… I’ve never heard of such a story.”

The middle-aged man who brought the letter spoke politely.

“I have only been ordered to deliver the letter and do not know the details. My master has especially urged that you accept the invitation.”

At that moment, Il Ah-young, who had finished reading the letter, asked.

“Where is this Yi Eui-shin you speak of?”

“My master is currently staying at the main residence of the Hoam Merchant Group in Jangsa.”

There was no one who didn’t know Yi Ho-am, who led the Hoam Merchant Group.

Especially not in Yueyang, which was not far from Jangsa.

It was no wonder that Il Ah-young, who was well aware of the influence of that name, asked back with a surprised face.

“The Hoam Merchant Group?”

“Yes, that is correct. He is a relative of Yi Ho-am.”

Although they were relatives, the fact that he was staying at the main residence meant that they were very close.

While the lady and Il Ah-young looked at each other, unable to hide their surprised expressions, the middle-aged man bowed deeply and said.

“My master is waiting with great anticipation. The carriage is already waiting outside….”

The middle-aged man continued smoothly in a soft voice.

“If you wish, we can depart right now.”

The lady hesitated.

Although Jangsa was close to Yueyang, it was still more than half a day’s journey by carriage.

Moreover, a relative of Yi Ho-am? It was sudden and bewildering.

However, Il Ah-young nodded as if she had made up her mind.

“I will go.”

The middle-aged man smiled upon hearing the answer and bowed deeply.

“Thank you.”

The middle-aged man, who was raising his head, suddenly turned to look at Woon-hyun and asked the lady in a polite tone.

“I am terribly sorry, but who is this person….”

Il Ah-young opened her mouth to say something, but the lady’s answer was faster.

“He is the sworn brother of my late husband.”

Il Ah-young frowned slightly, but the middle-aged man showed a surprised expression and hurriedly bowed to Woon-hyun.

“I am very sorry for the late greetings. I earnestly ask that you join us.”

The middle-aged man urged in a sincere voice, as if he was sorry for not recognizing him sooner.

Woon-hyun, who had been suddenly invited, didn’t know what to do, but Il Ah-young’s sharp gaze from across the way was quite stinging.

***

Some time later, two large carriages departed from the old mansion.

The middle-aged man who delivered the letter said that he couldn’t dare to sit in the same seat and gave the entire carriage to the lady, Il Ah-young, and Woon-hyun.

Thanks to this, the three were able to talk without having to be mindful of the middle-aged man.

“Thank you for joining us, Young Master Woon.”

The lady said to Woon-hyun.

“I feel reassured with you here, Young Master.”

“No, I’m just….”

Woon-hyun waved his hand. But the lady’s words were sincere.

It was unsettling for only two women to go to a stranger’s invitation.

So, even though he didn’t seem like he could use his strength, Woon-hyun’s presence was quite a support to the lady.

However, he couldn’t help but be aware of Il Ah-young’s mood.

Woon-hyun glanced at Il Ah-young.

But Il Ah-young only turned her head and didn’t say anything.

Clatter, clatter.

The scenery passed quickly outside the window. But there was no particular discomfort felt inside the carriage.

‘It’s like the carriage of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.’

Of course, it couldn’t be compared in terms of luxurious decorations or size.

But the power of the Hoam Merchant Group could be sufficiently guessed.

‘But that person… he didn’t ask if there was anyone else besides me, did he?’

When Woon-hyun said he was Il Chung-hyun’s sworn brother, the man earnestly requested Woon-hyun to accompany them.

But he didn’t ask if there was another person related to Il Chung-hyun.

‘Well, I was the only guest anyway.’

Perhaps it was just a pointless thought.

Woon-hyun turned his eyes to the passing scenery, thinking that he had become strangely sensitive these days.

The lady and Il Ah-young were also silent, as if lost in thought.

Clatter, clatter.

With the sound of horseshoes ringing in his ears, the carriage was rapidly approaching the historic metropolis of Jangsa.

***

Leaving behind the large and splendid downtown of Jangsa, the carriage entered the main residence of the Hoam Merchant Group.

The main residence of the Hoam Merchant Group was more ordinary than he had thought.

Of course, the size was impressive and the feeling of age was evident, but it didn’t give Woon-hyun much of an impression.

Rather, it felt a bit lacking compared to the name of the Hoam Merchant Group he had heard so far.

‘Is the main residence of a merchant group originally like this?’

While Woon-hyun was thinking, the carriage stopped and the door opened.

Click.

An old man with white hair was standing in front of the carriage.

The old man, dressed in luxurious clothes, bowed politely to the lady, Il Ah-young, and Woon-hyun in the carriage.

“Welcome.”

While the lady was bewildered, the middle-aged man who had guided the group bowed politely to the old man.

“I have brought the guests as you commanded, Master.”

“You have done well.”

At those words, the middle-aged man lowered his head as if he was grateful and stepped aside.

Woon-hyun helped Il Ah-young and the lady get out of the carriage and then looked at the old man again.

‘Master? Then is that person Yi Eui-shin?’

Thud.

The lady, who had gotten out of the carriage, straightened her clothes and bowed to the old man.

“Thank you for inviting us. We are… Ah!”

Thump.

The lady, who was about to greet him, was startled. Suddenly, the old man knelt on the floor.

“I, Yi Eui-shin, wanted to repay the grace of the benefactor, but I have not been able to find a way….”

A stream of tears flowed from the eyes of the speaking old man.

“I have no regrets even if I die now that I have met the family of the benefactor today.”

Thud.

The old man, Yi Eui-shin, prostrated himself on the floor without hesitation.

The lady hurriedly said with a surprised expression.

“O, Old Master. If you do this….”

She was always calm, but she couldn’t help but be flustered when an old man knelt before her and even shed tears.

However, despite the lady’s dissuasion, Yi Eui-shin did not stop bowing while kneeling.

“No. If it weren’t for the benefactor, how could there be Yi Eui-shin of today?”

Tears filled the eyes of Yi Eui-shin, whose hair was white.

He trembled as if unable to overcome his emotions and said to the lady.

“I have tried every way to repay the grace of saving my life, but the heavens did not help me. Only after the benefactor passed away did I finally find the benefactor’s family like this….”

Yi Eui-shin’s voice was desperate.

The emotion contained in that voice was enough to move the hearts of the listeners.

“How can I be forgiven for this great sin!”

Thud, thud.

Yi Eui-shin repeatedly prostrated himself on the floor.

The lady, who was already teary-eyed, turned pale.

“Old Master, you mustn’t do this.”

Not only the lady but also Il Ah-young, Woon-hyun, and even the middle-aged man tried to dissuade him, but Yi Eui-shin did not stop bowing.

Only after a long time did Yi Eui-shin, who had barely calmed down, guide the group inside.

The lady, who was following Yi Eui-shin inside, was startled.

She was surprised by the various delicacies that had been carefully prepared in the wide banquet hall, but she was even more surprised because Yi Ho-am, the owner of this house, had come out to greet them himself.

“Welcome.”

Yi Ho-am, who had graying hair and a good physique, said with a gentle smile.

Woon-hyun and Il Ah-young, who were coming in together, were also surprised.

Il Ah-young was surprised by Yi Ho-am’s appearance, just like her mother, but Woon-hyun had a different reason to be surprised.

Behind Yi Ho-am stood the young lady Yi Seo-yeon, whom he had seen on the merchant ship.