Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered - Chapter 9

**Chapter 9. The Scholar’s Martial Arts (Part 1)**

“Ah, well, you see….”

Unhyeon stammered, unable to speak immediately.

He was torn between revealing that he was learning martial arts or just continuing to wear the sweat-soaked official uniform.

However, his hesitation didn’t last long.

With a resigned expression, Unhyeon confided in Chief Eunuch Park.

“The truth is, I’ve been training in martial arts a bit lately.”

“What? So, you’re really learning martial arts from Officer Il Chung-hyun of the Royal Guard?”

Unhyeon’s face instantly turned pale at Chief Eunuch Park’s sudden reaction.

“How, how did you know that?!”

“Well, that’s not really the issue here… You’re really learning martial arts? The scholar is?”

Chief Eunuch Park responded, but Unhyeon, nearly in tears, insisted.

“That’s why I’m asking, how did you know!”

“Well, you see…”

Chief Eunuch Park shrugged his shoulders.

“The Forbidden City may be vast, but in reality, it’s quite small. No matter how secretive something is, within a few days, everyone will know about it.”

It seemed as though Unhyeon could hear the blood draining from his face.

With a pale face, Unhyeon stammered and asked.

“No, no way… the fact that I’ve been meeting with Officer Il Chung-hyun ….”

“Hoho, yes, of course. It’s quite a famous story among us that you’ve been doing something with the officer. Although, opinions were quite divided on what exactly you were doing, hohoho.”

The Forbidden City may be vast, but to the eunuchs, it’s like the palm of their hand.

After spending a lifetime here, running errands, you naturally come to know what’s happening in every corner of the palace.

Moreover, for eunuchs, who are treated worse than insects, listening to rumors is a matter of survival.

So, if it wasn’t known that Unhyeon had been meeting daily with the Royal Guard Officer for martial arts training for a month, that would have been more surprising.

The secret meetings between the Royal Guard Officer and the scholar of Changryong Hall.

This rumor spread like wildfire among the eunuchs and court ladies.

What exactly was the upright and inflexible Officer Il Chung-hyun doing with the newly appointed scholar, impeccably dressed in official robes?

Among the eunuchs and court ladies, wild speculation ran rampant.

But there was one thing everyone nodded in agreement on.

It was certain that Scholar Un of Changryong Hall had made a strong connection with Officer Il Chung-hyun of the Royal Guard.

Even if it was surprising that the connection was with the upright and rigid Il Chung-hyun , who was known for being a military officer.

“Scholar, you are no ordinary person, indeed. Using martial arts as an excuse… hoho.”

Chief Eunuch Park clasped his hands and bowed deeply to the disheartened Unhyeon.

“Congratulations, sir.”

“What, what do you mean by that?”

Unhyeon, looking perplexed as if asking what nonsense this was, saw Chief Eunuch Park smirk.

“Soon, you will be a high-ranking official, so of course, I must help clean your dirty uniform, hohoho.”

It was a customary greeting and a polite way of flattering Unhyeon.

But it didn’t register in Unhyeon’s mind, which was already in turmoil.

The fact that everyone in the Forbidden City knew that he, a scholar, was learning martial arts, and in such an embarrassing manner.

Thud.

Unhyeon felt his strength leave him, and he collapsed onto the spot.

In that moment, Chief Eunuch Park’s delicate voice reached Unhyeon’s ears.

“Then, I shall see you again, sir.”

Chief Eunuch Park bowed his head and turned to leave.

Rustle, rustle.

As he walked through the library, Chief Eunuch Park thought to himself.

“Well, learning martial arts is just an excuse, so this rumor will likely pass soon…”

Suddenly, he slightly turned his head to glance at Unhyeon, who was sitting blankly behind him.

“But, it’s not exactly a good connection…”

It certainly couldn’t be called a good connection.

The fact that a talent like Il Chung-hyun was being wasted as a Royal Guard Officer was proof enough that the connection wasn’t reliable.

With a tilt of his head, Chief Eunuch Park shrugged his shoulders once more and quickened his pace.

No matter which connection Unhyeon seized, it was none of Chief Eunuch Park’s concern.

Tap, tap, tap.

Eager to spread the news, Chief Eunuch Park quickly disappeared from Munyeongak.

Left alone, Unhyeon sighed deeply, as if the ground would collapse beneath him.

***

The next day, Officer Il Chung-hyun of the Royal Guard noticed a slight change in Unhyeon’s movements during training.

Although Unhyeon was still following Il Chung-hyun ’s instructions, his posture lacked the passion and diligence that had previously been evident.

“Scholar Un, is something bothering you?”

Unhyeon didn’t respond. Instead, he looked at Il Chung-hyun and asked,

“Officer Il, have you heard any rumors about me circulating in the Forbidden City?”

Il Chung-hyun shook his head.

“I’m not one to pay much attention to rumors. What kind of rumor are you referring to?”

Unhyeon sighed again.

“It seems that rumors are spreading about me learning martial arts from you.”

“Is that so? Well, I suspected as much. But what does that matter?”

Unhyeon, who had been looking down, glanced up at Il Chung-hyun with a puzzled expression.

“You suspected it? So, you knew?”

Il Chung-hyun shook his head.

“I haven’t heard any rumors. But lately, I’ve noticed some eyes watching us, so I thought that might be the case.”

“Eyes watching us?”

When Unhyeon asked, Il Chung-hyun turned his gaze toward the distant pavilions.

Following his gaze, Unhyeon saw something that seemed like a shadow quickly disappearing between the corners of the pavilions.

Il Chung-hyun continued in a calm voice,

“There was nothing particularly suspicious, so I left it alone. Perhaps they were curious about Scholar Un practicing martial arts. The source of the rumors you’ve heard is likely them.”

Unhyeon’s face contorted in frustration.

Though he didn’t say it outright, his unspoken complaint was clear: why hadn’t Il Chung-hyun done something, knowing this?

But Il Chung-hyun met Unhyeon’s gaze calmly.

“Scholar Un.”

Il Chung-hyun spoke in a gentle tone.

“What is it?”

Unhyeon replied in a curt voice.

Il Chung-hyun continued to speak gently,

“Do you know why I didn’t refuse your request?”

“How would I know?”

Unhyeon’s response was still sharp, his irritation stemming from the fact that Il Chung-hyun had known about the watchful eyes and yet did nothing.

Il Chung-hyun looked at Unhyeon with the same steady gaze.

“I am not unaware of Changryong Hall, nor of the choices made by the previous scholars who were there. But, as far as I know, not a single one of them came to me, asking to learn martial arts, as you did.”

Unhyeon turned to look at Officer Il Chung-hyun .

Il Chung-hyun continued speaking slowly, his voice growing more forceful.

“I may be a bit rigid, but I naturally dislike trickery. As a warrior myself, I admire those who face difficulties head-on rather than those who try to avoid them with cleverness.”

Il Chung-hyun ’s eyes shone brighter than ever as he spoke.

Unhyeon couldn’t look away.

“So if you’ve decided to break through head-on, don’t turn away. Don’t look back. Haven’t you already decided to endure the current hardships and embarrassment for the sake of your future?”

‘Ah!’

Suddenly, something warm brushed past Unhyeon’s heart.

What followed was a deep sense of shame toward himself.

‘Am I still clinging to my insignificant pride as the top graduate?’

He was no longer the top graduate.

He was no longer someone who stood above all other scholars, holding a guaranteed future in his hand, envied and respected.

Now, he was merely a scholar at Changryong Hall, neglected even within the Forbidden City, and someone who couldn’t even perform the tasks given to him properly.

Il Chung-hyun spoke to the silent, downcast Unhyeon.

“What will you do? Will you give up learning martial arts now?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Unhyeon shook his head.

He straightened his posture and bowed to Officer Il Chung-hyun .

“Thank you for enlightening me about my foolishness.”

Unhyeon raised his head.

His eyes were bright and full of determination.

“I will do my best as you said. Please continue to guide me, Officer Il.”

Unhyeon’s face was filled with renewed resolve.

Il Chung-hyun smiled.

“Very well. Then let’s start again from the first stance.”

As Unhyeon nodded, Officer Il Chung-hyun ’s loud voice echoed through the air.

“First stance! Stand firm like a mountain, Jeongnibyeosan.

As soon as Il Chung-hyun finished speaking, Unhyeon assumed the stance with a serious look in his eyes.

Watching him, Il Chung-hyun was quietly impressed.

Recognizing one’s own mistakes isn’t easy, and acknowledging them when pointed out by others is even more difficult.

Especially for a young scholar, brimming with pride.

Even for a Royal Guard officer, it’s not easy to accept someone else’s correction of one’s faults.

As Il Chung-hyun looked at Unhyeon, a mix of admiration and an inexplicable sense of regret passed through his eyes.

***

In a small pavilion, Royal Guard Officer Dojin waited for Il Chung-hyun with a dissatisfied expression on his face.

It wasn’t because Il Chung-hyun had yet to show up or because he had asked for a personal favor.

The fact that Il Chung-hyun wasn’t here yet was due to Dojin arriving a little early, and he was more than happy to fulfill any request from Il Chung-hyun .

What truly bothered Dojin lay elsewhere.

“Ah! Officer Do, you’re already here?”

Il Chung-hyun ’s voice came from behind.

Dojin quickly straightened his posture and greeted Il Chung-hyun with a formal bow.

“I greet you, Officer.”

A faint smile appeared on Il Chung-hyun ’s face.

He returned Dojin’s bow and said,

“We’re both officers now, so why not be more relaxed?”

“No, sir. How could I dare…? I’m the one who feels undeserving.”

Until last year, Dojin had been a subordinate to Il Chung-hyun .

Now, he had been promoted to a Royal Guard officer.

For Il Chung-hyun , who had been a Royal Guard officer for over ten years, this was nothing new. But for Dojin, who had long respected Il Chung-hyun , it was an overwhelming honor.

“Thank you for willingly accepting such a personal request. Scholar Un should be here soon.”

At the mention of Scholar Un, Dojin’s expression tightened slightly.

“Officer, I just can’t understand.”

Dojin’s voice carried emotion, and Il Chung-hyun looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you spending a whole year teaching martial arts to someone like Scholar Un? It’s not like the higher-ups already have a favorable view of you….”

“I didn’t realize Officer Do had already started worrying about how the higher-ups see things.”

Dojin flinched.

But Il Chung-hyun ’s gaze toward him remained gentle.

“As you know, I have no ambition for advancement. And I’m not actually teaching Scholar Un my martial a

rts. He hasn’t performed the rites of master and disciple, nor is he a military officer under the Geumwi. It’s just that….”

A slight smile appeared on Il Chung-hyun ’s face.

“I’m just helping him with his stance….”

“Stance?”

Dojin’s face showed his confusion.