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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Your swordsmanship has become even sharper.”
“You’ve improved as well, Junior Brother Im.”
I finished a brief sparring match and bowed respectfully to Senior Brother Ha-jin.
It was a small gesture of respect for someone who continued to train diligently despite his busy schedule.
As the future sect leader, his focus should be on politics, not martial arts. Yet, he was sacrificing sleep to train.
So many people neglected their training, relying solely on their talent.
“Haha, I still have much to learn. Thank you for accepting my sparring request.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m indebted to the Haenam Sword Sect…”
Sparring with the future sect leader of the Haenam Sword Sect was beneficial for me.
Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong’s mastery of the Haenam Thirty-Six Sword Technique was still incomplete, making them unsuitable sparring partners.
Elder Baek was too old, and I felt hesitant to request a match. Ha-jin was my only option.
Moreover, building a relationship with the future sect leader was a valuable opportunity. I was grateful he had accepted my request.
“Good work!”
Hye-ryeong handed us towels as soon as the match ended. I wiped the dust from my face and watched Hye-ryeong and Junior Brother Im converse.
“Thank you, Hye-ryeong.”
“You’re welcome, Senior Brother!”
“I hope it was helpful.”
“It was! Even just watching you use the latter half of the technique is a great help, since I haven’t learned it properly yet!”
“When you return to the Haenam Sword Sect, the Sect Leader will teach you the latter half. Until then, focus on perfecting the first half. It’s a powerful sword technique on its own.”
They were like family.
Well, they practically were family.
“Hero Wi, I must take my leave. I have a mountain of work to do.”
“See you later, Senior Brother!”
“You too, have a good time.”
“…Hehe.”
Junior Brother Im glanced at Hye-ryeong and me, then turned and left the training grounds.
As soon as he was gone, Hye-ryeong approached me.
“Mister, what are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“You know, Zhuge Xian-shang.”
He was an eccentric fellow, but he could be useful. He had profited from his investment in me, so it would be easier to convince him to make a bigger bet.
“So, you’ll be back late again?”
“I’ll be back before dinner.”
I had no reason to spend too much time with him, and we didn’t have that much to discuss.
“Are you going alone?”
“No, Mokgyeong is coming too.”
“Dan as well?”
“Yes. He seems interested in Mokgyeong, and it would be good for them to meet.”
That connection-obsessed fellow would definitely be interested in Mokgyeong, so I planned to introduce them.
Hye-ryeong looked disappointed that she was being left out.
“So, I have to stay here by myself?”
“I heard there’s a gathering for young female martial artists.”
“It’s boring. They just try to one-up each other.”
…So, it was a gathering of daughters and female disciples from prominent families.
The thought of them engaging in a petty power struggle made me shudder.
“That sounds dreadful.”
“Right? I’d rather spend time with Mister.”
“You’re like a puppy.”
“Should I bark for you?”
“No, if someone hears you, I’ll never live it down…”
“…Ahem.”
Mokgyeong, your timing is impeccable. I sighed, looking at Mokgyeong, who was bowing respectfully. At least he hadn’t barked.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“I thought the sparring match would be over by now…”
Mokgyeong trailed off, looking at me. He was dressed impeccably, as always.
He looked less like the young master of a fallen clan and more like a handsome young man with androgynous features, dressed in simple but clean martial arts attire.
I wasn’t sure how connecting him with Zhuge Xian-shang would change his fate, but it would probably help in the revival of the Yunnan Pill Valley.
With the Zhuge Clan’s resources, they could easily gather information about a small sect.
“I’ll be back soon, so behave yourselves.”
“Do you have to be back quickly?”
“Yes.”
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“Haha, it’s good to see you, Hero Wi.”
“It’s good to see you too, Young Master Zhuge.”
“It’s been a while, Dan.”
“I suppose there’s no need for pleasantries.”
He looked like a newly rich merchant who had struck it big.
I looked at Zhuge Xian-shang, practically radiating happiness, and poured him a cup of wine.
“I’ve been doing quite well, thank you. Hearing about your exploits has been a source of great joy. It confirms my exceptional judgment. Hehe…”
He sounded drunk even before taking a sip.
I watched his antics and took a sip of my own wine. The strong alcohol warmed my throat as it went down.
It was quite smooth. A high-quality wine.
As I savored the taste, Zhuge Xian-shang covered his widening grin with his fan and looked at me.
“I must say, I didn’t expect you to request a meeting, Hero Wi.”
“You offered to invest in me, so it’s only fair that I make use of you.”
“Haha, you’re right. A strong relationship requires give and take. Is that why you’ve introduced me to Dan?”
“He’s traveling with me, so it’s only natural for you two to meet. Besides, sharing some valuable information with…Dan wouldn’t be a bad investment.”
“An investment? Hmm…if you recommend it, I’m sure it won’t be a loss for me.”
The young strategist of the Zhuge Clan smiled.
A crescent moon smile filled with suspicion.
“You sound more like a merchant than a martial artist.”
“Haha, one of my ancestors once said, ‘Everything comes down to calculations. Success in life depends on how well you calculate.’”
“An interesting saying.”
“I believe it holds a profound truth.”
“Well, enough small talk…I’d like to get down to business.”
“Business? What do you require?”
“Three things.”
“Three things…I’m listening.”
“First, information about the Three-Step Sword King and the Seongcheon Merchant Guild, who are believed to possess his secret manual. Second, information about the culprits who attacked the Yunnan Pill Valley. And lastly, I’d like you to arrange a meeting with the Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Those are…difficult requests.”
Zhuge Xian-shang looked at me with a troubled expression for the first time.
It was true that arranging a meeting with the Alliance Leader for an unknown martial artist was practically impossible, even with his family’s influence.
“You’re interested in me, so all you need to do is find a suitable excuse and pass on the message.”
It was less direct than using Seo-ryun, but it was cleaner and less risky.
I couldn’t charm my way into a meeting like Mokgyeong did in the original story.
A young woman falling for a man who looked forty would raise eyebrows. Besides, despite her naivete, Seo-ryun had her own standards.
“The first two requests are manageable, but the last one…I can’t guarantee anything.”
“Just try.”
All I needed was for the Alliance Leader to hear about my attempt.
Zhuge Xian-shang seemed to understand. He nodded.
“Very well. I’ll do as you ask.”
I had other requests, but they were best left unsaid for now.
I looked away from Zhuge Xian-shang, who had picked up his chopsticks, and reached for my own.
I might as well enjoy the food while I was here.
“Let’s eat.”
“Haha, please, enjoy your meal, Hero.”
With the sponsor’s permission, I began my meal in earnest.
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