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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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As I walked back up Mount Hua, I thought,
‘Honestly, whether I killed those third-rate thugs or not didn’t matter…’
I replayed the events in my mind.
Perhaps it was lingering sentimentality, but I still felt uneasy about taking a life.
Moreover, I didn’t want to kill anyone without Myeong-ryong-geom by my side.
‘Besides, who would act up with a master level expert sitting right there?’
I could still feel the lingering chill of her killing intent.
That veiled woman was definitely at at least a peak-level expert or above
‘I need to become stronger…’
I gritted my teeth.
It was the same resolve I’d felt since arriving in this damned Deer Brand smut-fest.
I was already stronger than almost everyone at Mount Hua, yet a random master had appeared and threatened my life.
To prevent such incidents in the future, I needed to become the strongest in Shaanxi, at the very least.
‘I should set a goal.’
Having a clear objective was important.
“…I’ll aim to become the best swordsman in Mount Hua.”
I’d think about future plans later.
For now, I needed to focus on this single goal.
With renewed determination, I appreciated the beauty of Mount Hua, with its swirling blossoms.
“This view is calming…”
I sighed briefly.
Mount Hua itself was a constant, a source of comfort.
I continued walking up the winding path, finally nearing the main sect grounds.
“…I’m here.”
I scratched my head.
I’d been enjoying the scenery, almost like a wandering traveler.
It was time to return.
As I approached the entrance, I heard a commotion.
It sounded like cheering, mixed with a faint sense of fervor.
“…What’s going on?”
I wondered.
Things had been quiet at Mount Hua recently.
Why was there sudden activity just as I returned?
I saw a large crowd gathered near the entrance.
‘I should find out what’s happening.’
I nodded and approached the crowd.
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“…”
Myeong-ryong-geom was silent.
The other elders sitting around him were equally quiet.
Some stared blankly at the training grounds, their faces etched with despair.
The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating.
Finally, the second-generation disciple overseeing the matches announced in a somber tone,
“The victor of this match… Yoo Seong-ho of the Southern Peak Sect…!”
“Wooo!”
Myeong-ryong-geom muttered quietly,
“…Is this the tenth time already?”
“…Yes.”
Another elder, his face buried in his hands, sighed and replied.
Even though these were friendly matches, it was painful to watch the Mount Hua disciples being defeated so easily.
He felt both pity and anger.
“…This is too much.”
“…”
Myeong-ryong-geom swallowed hard.
These friendly matches were a regular event. He glanced at the cheering crowd from the Southern Peak Sect.
“They’re enjoying themselves…”
He clicked his tongue.
The Southern Peak Sect and the Mount Hua Sect, two of the Nine Great Sects, were like oil and water.
It was almost inevitable.
They were the two largest and most influential sects in the Shaanxi region, and their rivalry was long-standing.
The Southern Peak Sect specialized in heavy swordsmanship, while Mount Hua focused on swift and elegant bladework.
Their styles were fundamentally opposed.
“Those Southern Peak bastards… they’re taking advantage of the situation.”
Elder Muk-geom-ja grumbled.
Myeong-ryong-geom nodded in agreement.
‘I received that urgent message while dealing with my hangover… I wondered what was so important…’
He hadn’t realized it was the day of the friendly matches with the Southern Peak Sect.
It was a weak excuse.
He felt a pang of regret for the absence of a certain disciple.
‘…The Southern Peak Sect itself isn’t that frightening. Until recently, their martial artists weren’t particularly strong.’
If it came down to an all-out brawl, including the elders, Mount Hua would undoubtedly win.
But these were friendly matches between junior disciples.
If the elders intervened, it would escalate into a full-blown conflict between the sects.
Myeong-ryong-geom looked down at the training grounds with a cold gaze.
‘…The problem is him.’
He focused on a young man from the Southern Peak Sect.
He looked like a handsome nobleman, but his narrow eyes gave him a sharp, calculating look.
The way he basked in the cheers of the crowd was irritating.
Myeong-ryong-geom gritted his teeth.
‘…But I have to admit, his skill surpasses even Yeon-ah’s.’
He glanced at Seol Ah-yeon, who was resting in the corner.
She had already been defeated by Yoo Seong-ho.
And that wasn’t the only problem.
While it was understandable that she might lose to a talented disciple from the Southern Peak Sect, what truly infuriated Myeong-ryong-geom was that Yoo Seong-ho had proceeded to defeat every Mount Hua disciple who challenged him afterwards.
He watched as another Mount Hua disciple was carried off the training grounds, the eleventh casualty.
He sighed.
“…And of course, Yeong-i isn’t here.”
He thought of Thunder Sword Dragon Mu-yeong and sighed again.
He couldn’t control Mu-yeong’s movements.
But he couldn’t help but feel his absence keenly.
Mu-yeong was known for his wanderlust, both within Mount Hua and beyond.
It was too late to call him back now, with the matches almost over.
Then, Myeong-ryong-geom thought of the young disciple he’d recently taken under his wing.
He gritted his teeth.
‘If only Seong-i were here… we wouldn’t be suffering such humiliating defeats…!’
Eun Ha-seong.
With his talent and potential… perhaps he could have defeated that arrogant prodigy from the Southern Peak Sect.
The thought filled him with a sense of loss and regret.
Just then, the announcer’s voice rang out.
“The victor of this match… Yoo Seong-ho of the Southern Peak Sect…”
“Waaaaaaaah!!”
Another Mount Hua disciple was carried away.
Myeong-ryong-geom watched with a complex expression.
The Mount Hua elders were trembling with barely suppressed rage.
“Ugh…!”
“Must we endure this…?”
Only Sect Leader Hyun Mujin-in’s presence prevented them from erupting.
Even he hadn’t anticipated such a disastrous outcome.
But as Sect Leader, he had to maintain composure.
He sighed inwardly.
“Hmm…”
He stroked his beard thoughtfully.
He, too, regretted Eun Ha-seong’s absence.
Eun Ha-seong’s cultivation had progressed so rapidly that even the elders couldn’t accurately gauge his strength.
Hyun Mujin-in, who received daily reports on his progress, felt a pang of disappointment.
Then—
“…What’s this?”
“…?”
“What happened while I was gone?”
“O-Oh…!”
Thud, thud-
A young man walked towards them from the entrance.
Even Hyun Mujin-in, renowned for his composure, stared in surprise.
“…!”
Myeong-ryong-geom was equally stunned.
He felt a surge of relief.
This situation was partly his fault.
“You’re back, my disciple…!”
“…?”
“I’ve been waiting for you…!”
“…Pardon?”
Myeong-ryong-geom’s disciple tilted his head, his expression bewildered.
But the elders, having finally recognized him, erupted in excitement.
“Ooh…!”
“F-Finally…!”
“We can have our revenge!”
“…?”
Their cries of joy echoed around him.
“Uh… Hmm…”
The young man, finally grasping the situation, sighed.
“More trouble…”
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Bro left him and then acted like he was dead. Elders in this novel might be senile already.