Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered - Chapter 3

**Episode 3: The Treasury of Knowledge, Munyeongak**

The books in the Crown Prince’s private library were filled with nothing but fantastical tales.

Not a single word could be believed, and there wasn’t even a speck of profound insight to be found.

So Unhyeon made a decision.

He resolved to showcase his skill by cultivating a perfect flower from this heap of trash.

For three days, Unhyeon dedicated himself to his first report.

He didn’t even glance at the absurd materials.

Instead, he focused on the underlying social phenomena that allowed such nonsensical stories to circulate.

And finally, he completed it.

A thin report that, like all excellent books, was concise yet sharp, blending his keen insights with various classical texts, while also suggesting practical and feasible policies.

Unhyeon was confident.

He believed that this single book would make the Crown Prince recognize Unhyeon’s extraordinary talents.

Holding a thin book titled “A Reflection on the Tales of the Martial World,” Unhyeon walked confidently into Changryongjeon.

He soon found himself grateful that the report was thin.

For as soon as Sa Ilcheon read the first page, he flung the booklet back at Unhyeon.

Rustle.

Unhyeon was dumbfounded as he watched the report hit his chest and fall to the floor.

But Sa Ilcheon paid no mind to Unhyeon’s feelings. In a cold and dry voice, he said,

“Who told you to write such presumptuous nonsense? A reflection on the Tales of the Martial World? Who do you think would be interested in hearing your thoughts or opinions? The exalted Crown Prince?”

The official’s words pierced Unhyeon’s heart mercilessly.

“No one cares about your perspective. The Crown Prince desires to see the living reality of the martial world. Do you understand?”

Unhyeon, with his head lowered, could not utter a single word in response. The official spoke coldly to him.

“Do it again.”

Bowing low, Unhyeon picked up the discarded thin booklet and left the room.

And that short phrase, “Do it again,” was one that Unhyeon had to hear many more times afterward.

***

“Sigh.”

Unhyeon let out an unconscious sigh as he reflected on the past few days.

Sa Ilcheon didn’t throw the report back at him again.

However, each report that Unhyeon had stayed up all night to create barely made it through a few pages before being returned with the words “Do it again.”

By now, it seemed as if those words would spill from Sa Ilcheon’s mouth whenever he opened it.

The only consolation was that there was no pressure, but just seeing Sa Ilcheon’s face made Unhyeon’s neck shrink with anxiety.

“What should I do…?”

He had no idea.

By this point, one would expect Sa Ilcheon to at least give a hint, but he remained always stern and extremely businesslike.

It felt as if he was facing a massive, gray wall.

“How on earth can I write a report that will please the Crown Prince?”

It was frustrating beyond words to be told to write a report that would please the Crown Prince when Unhyeon had never even seen his face.

Sa Ilcheon kept his mouth shut, and there was nothing to use as a model, no matter how hard Unhyeon searched.

All that existed were the useless, trivial books filling the Crown Prince’s private library. In the end, out of sheer frustration, Unhyeon made a final choice.

He decided to visit Munyeongak.

“If I can’t find a clue in Munyeongak, it’s truly the end.”

Unhyeon bit his lip.

If Munyeongak, the treasury of knowledge, didn’t have it, there was nowhere else to look.

But would there really be a way to satisfy the Crown Prince’s taste there?

The idea of something “pleasing” is so subjective and intensely personal, after all.

“Could I really be dismissed like this…?”

As Unhyeon walked, he shuddered slightly.

It was unthinkable for a royal scholar to resign over something like this. Moreover, hadn’t he passed the state examination with the highest honors?

But if things continued this way, even that couldn’t be guaranteed.

**To Someone Who Can’t Even Properly Handle Their Own Duties, There’s No One Who Will Continue to Grant Them a Position.**

This is especially true in the Forbidden City, where such a thing goes without saying.

“Sigh.”

Just as Unhyeon let out a sigh and continued walking, a square-shaped pond came into view.

He quickly looked up.

The large golden letters on the tall signboard reading “Munyeongak” gleamed brilliantly.

As soon as he saw the signboard that read “Munyeongak,” Unhyeon’s heart began to race.

This was the place that started from the Emperor’s hall and housed all the rare books in the world.

“So this is Munyeongak…”

The so-called treasury of all knowledge, Munyeongak, did not feel particularly large.

However, that was not because Munyeongak itself was small. The official palaces of the Forbidden City, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preservation of Harmony, were simply absurdly huge.

Although it lacked the majesty and grandeur of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Munyeongak exuded a refined and elegant charm.

Forgetting his earlier worries, Unhyeon walked toward Munyeongak with a heart full of anticipation.

***

“And who might you be?”

The person who greeted Unhyeon as he entered Munyeongak was a gruff official.

Unhyeon clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

“I am Unhyeon from Changryongjeon. I have come here to search for a book, and I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The Munyeongak official looked at Unhyeon with a less-than-pleased expression before opening a large book with a gilded cover.

“Unhyeon from Changryongjeon, is it… Do you use the character ‘Un’ meaning ‘cloud’?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Unhyeon answered naturally.

A few days ago, he would have been so intimidated by the official’s brusque attitude that he couldn’t even speak.

But compared to what he had endured with Sa Ilcheon over the past few days, this was nothing.

“Changryongjeon, Changryongjeon… Ah, here it is. Your authorization level is…”

A sneer appeared on the official’s face as he scanned the large registry.

“Heh.”

With a short laugh, the official looked at Unhyeon and spoke in a brusque tone.

“There’s a section over there classified as miscellaneous books. That’s the only area you’re authorized to access, so be particularly mindful of that.”

“What?”

Unhyeon couldn’t help but respond in surprise.

The term “miscellaneous books” was simple in meaning. It referred to books so worthless that they weren’t even worth categorizing.

When Munyeongak categorized books, it was based not on their subject but on their importance and value. The center was, of course, reserved for the Emperor’s hall, followed by the scriptures of the sages.

And after countless intermediate levels, at the very bottom, were the books classified as miscellaneous—the lowest tier of books in Munyeongak.

“Didn’t you hear me? The only area you’re allowed to access is that section. Even by accident, you mustn’t touch books from other sections. Doing so would bring ruin upon your entire family.”

The Munyeongak official’s tone was harsh as he warned Unhyeon.

“Hah, so there are even grades for viewing the books in Munyeongak.”

Unhyeon sighed inwardly. The excitement he had felt upon entering Munyeongak had already dissipated.

The official jotted something down in the large book and then closed it. His interest in Unhyeon was already gone.

Thud.

The sound of the book closing felt like a rough push on Unhyeon’s back as he took heavy steps toward the interior of Munyeongak.

“Oh my, isn’t this Jinssa Unhyeon?”

Unhyeon, cautiously walking through the densely lined bookshelves, was startled by the sudden voice.

When he looked up, he saw a eunuch in a brown taegamui (eunuch’s uniform) standing in front of him.

As Unhyeon stood momentarily confused, the eunuch quickly walked towards him with small, quick steps.

“Oh, you are…”

The eunuch smiled and bowed deeply.

“I once guided you to Changryongjeon. I’m sorry if my joy at seeing you made me behave rudely.”

The eunuch spoke, carefully watching Unhyeon’s expression.

Generally, except for a few rare exceptions, eunuchs were treated no better than slaves within the Forbidden City.

Moreover, because they were not complete men, eunuchs had to endure countless hostile and contemptuous gazes directed at them.

Even now, this eunuch was cautiously observing Unhyeon’s expression.

How would this young scholar react to being greeted by a eunuch first?

Would he be displeased? Would he be offended and react angrily?

But Unhyeon did neither.

“Oh, no. There’s no need to apologize…”

Unhyeon quickly waved his hands. A smile had already appeared on his face.

“Still, it’s nice to meet someone I know here.”

This was Unhyeon’s genuine feeling.

In this Forbidden City, the only person who had shown him kindness was the eunuch before him. And the only person who called his name was this eunuch.

Perhaps because he had been through such difficult times, Unhyeon was genuinely glad to see this eunuch, even though they had only met once.

“So, what brings you here?”

The eunuch’s eyes twinkled as he responded with a gentle smile.

“Well, the person I serve requested a book, so I came here to retrieve it. I’ve heard that you are now staying within the Forbidden City, Jinssa. How have you been?”

Unhyeon was surprised that the eunuch even knew about his situation.

However, more than that, he was genuinely grateful that someone was concerned about him, even if it was just polite small talk.

Unhyeon answered with a soft smile.

“I am simply grateful for the Crown Prince’s grace. I have been doing well.”

Unhyeon’s words were only half-true.

It was true that his lodging within the Forbidden City was better than a shabby inn.

However, the residence that the Crown Prince had supposedly prepared for him was not much better than the quarters of eunuchs or court ladies.

“I’m glad to hear that you’re well. I apologize for holding you up. I will take my leave now…”

The eunuch bowed deeply and prepared to leave.

“Oh, then, perhaps next time…”

Unhyeon stammered a bit as he responded to the eunuch’s farewell.

The eunuch smiled at Unhyeon and then began to walk away between the shelves filled with books.

That area was one that Unhyeon was forbidden to enter, the one the official had warned him could lead to the ruin of his family if he even touched the books there.

“So, that eunuch has a higher rank than I do.”

Unhyeon felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he watched the eunuch’s back disappear between the shelves.

Just as he was about to turn away, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Thud.

Unhyeon stopped in his tracks. He turned his head to look at the eunuch.

The back of the eunuch in the brown taegamui was just about to disappear between the shelves.

“Hey, you there!”

Unhyeon’s voice grew louder without him realizing it. The fact that this was Munyeongak, where silence was required, didn’t matter to him at that moment.

The only thing on his mind was the urgency to call out to the eunuch before he disappeared.

“Hey, wait a moment!”

The eunuch’s pale face cautiously peeked out between the densely packed shelves.

“Yes?”

At Unhyeon’s earnest plea, the eunuch hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking.

“Well, the Crown Prince is particularly interested in stories about the martial world. Especially those that are very exciting, like duels between masters. He became deeply fascinated with the stories of a martial arts master who once visited the palace.”

The eunuch covered his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled softly.

“Since then, it seems he has been searching for various records or books about the martial world… But, well, royal records aren’t exactly known for being entertaining, are they? They’re all stiff and tedious. That’s why the Crown Prince needed a scholar. Someone to organize and recompose the records in the royal collection in a way that would be interesting to him…”

Noticing the hardening of Unhyeon’s expression, the eunuch quickly adopted a brighter tone.

“A wise and loyal scholar, that is. So, if you align your studies in that direction, you won’t stray too far off course. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

The eunuch bowed deeply and hurried away.

But Unhyeon didn’t even have time to express his thanks.