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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Completely drained…”
Was this the life of a celebrity?
I sighed, staring blankly at the pile of letters on the table. They were all invitations from various sects and clans.
Some were simple invitations to visit and socialize, but most were serious offers to become a retainer.
They were clearly eager to recruit a peak expert, a high-value asset who ranked among the top five percent of martial artists.
Considering the wuxia stories I had read, it wasn’t a bad offer.
Being a retainer didn’t involve much work. You essentially lived comfortably and stepped in during times of danger. Some wealthy families even collected retainers.
Famous retainers were a symbol of a clan’s prestige.
“As expected of Benefactor. You’re incredibly popular.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You received at least twenty letters yourself.”
They had no sense of scale. Only twenty letters?
He was a guaranteed winning lottery ticket, and most of the invitations were from small to mid-sized clans.
Many probably gave up on recruiting him after he politely declined their initial offers.
As the runner-up, he was overshadowed by the champion…which was beneficial for me.
It would be troublesome if he suddenly decided to join another faction.
I needed to find a way to keep him by my side, but what kind of bait would be effective?
Wealth?
I wasn’t poor, but I wasn’t wealthy either.
Power?
As a lone wanderer, I had no power to speak of. If I were a transcendent expert or a supreme master, it would be a different story, but in my current state, it was impossible. Suggesting he join the Haenam Sword Sect might be a better option.
The Haenam Sword Sect was a relatively influential sect and part of the Nine Great Sects, which could be helpful for Mokgyeong’s revenge. They were also relatively open to outsiders, so he wouldn’t have trouble adapting.
Ugh.
It was frustrating to have to worry about this alone.
“Benefactor? Are you alright?”
“I just have a headache from all these letters.”
“…I understand. It’s the first time I’ve received so many letters since I was a child…”
“Since you were a child…”
“…You might not believe this, but I was once the second son of a wealthy clan.”
Why was he suddenly talking about his past?
Had we become that close? Mokgyeong fiddled with his teacup and continued.
“Back then, my clan was quite prominent in Yunnan, so I used to receive piles of invitations to various events. I would open each one with excitement.”
…I don’t recall this from the original story.
The novel barely touched upon the protagonist’s past.
“I believed those days would last forever. I firmly believed everything would remain peaceful.”
“We all think that when we’re ignorant.”
I had thought the same before I was transported here. Was it the day before or the day of my discharge from the military?
I was so happy to be finished with military life, but I never imagined I’d be thrust into another one.
“Benefactor? Your expression…”
“…Just remembering the past. Don’t mind me.”
“…But that life withered away like a flower at the end of summer. I still remember that day.
My uncle woke me up and gave me a bundle containing secret manuals and emergency funds, telling me to escape through the secret passage…”
A look of sorrow clouded Mokgyeong’s face as he recalled the events of that day.
“If only I had trained harder, I might have been able to save my uncle…”
…His words made me feel incredibly guilty.
Like a terrible person.
Well, was I wrong?
“Don’t blame yourself. If you had fought against those who destroyed your clan, you wouldn’t be here, honing your skills for revenge.”
“…I suppose you’re right. Thank you for listening to my complaints, Benefactor.”
“…If you have more complaints, feel free to share them with me.”
“Mister! I’m back!”
“Ah, did you have a good chat?”
I looked at Hye-ryeong, who sat down beside me with a sigh.
She had been helping Ha-gyeong and talking with representatives from sects friendly with the Haenam Sword Sect. She subtly moved her chair closer to mine as she replied.
“We talked for almost half an hour. Mostly Ha-gyeong, though…why are men so clingy?”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“I wish you had come with us.”
“I can’t interfere in Haenam Sword Sect matters.”
I was an outsider, after all. I couldn’t do anything there. Hye-ryeong giggled.
“It’s fine for you, Mister.”
“No thanks. I hate bothersome things.”
“Tch. I do too, but Ha-gyeong insisted I come.”
“It couldn’t have been that difficult.”
“Exactly. It was just exchanging pleasantries with people we occasionally interact with…it’s meaningless unless it’s with Senior Brother Hajin anyway.”
That was true.
No matter what Ha-gyeong did, the eldest disciple was Hajin. Nothing happened without his approval. Ha-gyeong was essentially acting as his proxy since he was busy with Martial Alliance matters.
“Speaking of which, what’s Hajin been up to lately? I haven’t seen him.”
“Um…I heard he’s been learning various things. There’s a lot to know to become a sect leader, he has to discuss matters with the Nine Great Sects, and he also has meetings with the Martial Alliance regarding the Demonic Cult.”
“Ah, right. I should visit Elder Baek soon.”
I wanted to hear about the meetings.
He might not tell me everything, but as allies, he would share some information. I would adjust my plans accordingly.
My immediate goal was to reach the Master realm, then I would target the Demonic Cult branches one by one. And help Mokgyeong with his revenge, if possible.
Lost in my vague plans, Hye-ryeong poked my hand.
“Mister? Mister? Are you listening?”
“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought…”
“What were you thinking about?”
“How to become a transcendent expert.”
“Is that something you can just…become?”
…Now that she mentioned it…
If it were that easy, this world would be filled with martial artists unleashing sword aura at the slightest provocation. Even manifesting a chi long was a rare sight.
My thoughts were incredibly arrogant.
The Master realm, the transcendent expert level, was a realm only a select few could reach.
Reaching that level alone would guarantee a spot among the top hundred martial artists.
“I’ll have to try.”
“You’ll reach it soon, Mister!”
“Benefactor will achieve mastery in no time.”
…I wish.
If I could overcome the barrier to the Master realm, dealing with the events of the original story would be much easier.
Considering the lengths Mokgyeong went to in the original story to defeat the transcendent experts who kept popping up from the middle of the story onwards…it was a constant struggle.
And the Heavenly Demon was a madman who had surpassed even the Transcendent realm and entered the Demonic realm.
I had no idea how he could be defeated, but then the story ended abruptly… The biggest problem was that the method of his defeat wasn’t explained.
If I knew how, I could prepare in advance, but I didn’t.
“Honestly, I don’t think it will be that easy. But I have to try.”
That was one of the reasons I was actively participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
Someone who piqued my curiosity, someone who might hold the key to breaking through my barrier, was supposed to be here.
“Hye-ryeong, I’m going to pick a fight.”
“Huh? What?”
“I need to digest my food.”
Considering Paeng Jeok-san’s words and my own curiosity, this was the perfect opportunity to build a relationship. I could justify my somewhat forceful approach as an attempt to build camaraderie.
“Can I come too?”
“Hmm. Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”
“Do you want to leave me behind?”
“That’s not it, so don’t sulk. It’s just…the conversation might be a bit boring for you.”
I was going to pick a fight, so it wasn’t appropriate to bring Hye-ryeong along.
“You’re planning something, aren’t you?”
“You know me well. As expected, you understand without me saying anything.”
“Hehe.”
“So, wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay~”
Then, let’s go.
To the one who would become the stepping stone to my next level.
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