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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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More time passed.
Ha-seol had arranged for a convoy to Mount Yunhaeng from Xi’an, and we ended up traveling with a group of several dozen people.
It was a bit strange that Ha-seol wasn’t the leader of this convoy.
‘The Choice Escort Agency… and the agency head’s daughter is in charge?’
I mused as I walked near the back of the group.
‘Even though the Choice Escort Agency is one of the Silver River Trading Company’s subsidiaries, I didn’t expect them to put the agency head’s only daughter in such a responsible position.’
Thinking about it, it made sense.
While Ha-seol had arranged the convoy to Mount Yunhaeng, being fully responsible for it would have been too much for her.
It seemed the agency head had requested this arrangement to give his daughter, the future head of the agency, some practical experience.
‘Even though Ha-seol isn’t officially in charge, she’s still the one making all the important decisions.’
She essentially controlled the discussions.
I’d observed the evening meetings between the escorts, and Ha-seol always took the lead.
It was a reminder of her upbringing within a powerful trading company.
‘And… Ok Seon-yeong, was it? The convoy leader.’
I glanced towards the front of the convoy.
The agency head’s daughter was riding on horseback, leading the way.
She seemed timid and unsure of herself.
It was probably her nature, and the pressure of leading the convoy, especially with Ha-seol’s presence, was likely overwhelming her.
‘Well, it’s convenient for me. They’re handling everything without my involvement.’
I nodded slowly.
I was treated as an outsider on this journey.
It was what I wanted, and I could sense the escorts’ apprehension around me.
‘They think I haven’t noticed.’
But I wasn’t oblivious to their feelings.
It didn’t bother me enough to say anything, though.
Then,
“…Brother, what are you thinking about?”
“…?”
“Are you looking at my sister?”
A young boy spoke from beside me.
He looked barely out of childhood, dressed in fine clothes, unlike the other ragged escorts.
He was probably two or three years younger than me.
I paused, then replied,
“…I was watching her.”
“Do you… like her?”
“Why would you think that?”
He looked at me with an innocent expression.
“Isn’t staring at a woman like that a sign of affection… or at least interest?”
“…”
“That’s what I’ve always heard…”
“…I was watching her, but not because I’m interested in her romantically.”
He nodded, seemingly unconcerned.
“I see. My mistake.”
“Why did you beg your father to let you join this convoy?”
“…Beg? I need to start gaining experience, don’t I?”
“Aren’t you a bit young?”
I said, trying to sound reasonable.
He puffed out his cheeks.
This was Ok Yeong-u, the agency head’s only son.
“…You’re not even twenty yet!”
“Hmm…”
“So don’t lecture me!”
“…Right.”
I nodded slowly.
He grinned.
“So, you said you’re training in martial arts?”
“…Yes.”
“I heard you insisted on joining a sect.”
“…”
I couldn’t deny it, so I just kept walking.
His eyes lit up.
He was a free-spirited, somewhat fickle boy, but he had an intense interest in martial arts and anything related to the murim world.
He often sought me out for conversation during our travels.
‘At first, I found his constant questions annoying… but with no one else to talk to, he’s become a welcome distraction.’
As the agency head’s son and heir, he was in a similar position to me.
I felt a sense of camaraderie with him.
I remained silent, and he continued,
“…If you don’t mind me asking, which sect did you join?”
“…”
I answered curtly,
“…Mount Hua.”
“…Wow, Mount Hua! Aren’t they the most powerful sect in Shaanxi?”
“…They’re one of the top two, along with the Southern Peak Sect.”
That was the general consensus, so I didn’t bother correcting him.
His eyes widened.
“Mount Hua… I’ve heard stories about them.”
“…Have you?”
“Yes! I have a friend who’s a second-generation disciple there.”
“Hmm, I see.”
We walked in silence for a while.
He looked up, as if remembering something.
“…Oh! I heard there was a friendly tournament between Mount Hua and the Southern Peak Sect recently.”
“Yes, there was.”
I nodded, remembering the events of the tournament.
My match against Yoo Seong-ho, the Southern Peak prodigy, had been a valuable experience.
It had likely helped him grow as well.
‘I thought it was a nuisance at the time…’
But now, I saw it as a valuable training opportunity.
We’d formed a connection, a bond forged in combat.
“…My friend told me some amazing juniors emerged during the tournament.”
“…Juniors?”
“Yeah! Apparently, both sects were celebrating the rise of these new talents.”
“…”
I remained silent, and he continued,
“The Southern Peak Sect had a prodigy called Yoo Seong-ho, the ‘Heaven’s Center Sword.’”
“…”
“And Mount Hua had the ‘Plum Blossom Sword Demon’… I can’t remember his name, though. He wasn’t very well-known before.”
“…Is that so?”
I was slightly amused.
Yoo Seong-ho had a dignified title like “Heaven’s Center Sword,” while I was called a “Sword Demon.”
But it wasn’t entirely inaccurate, so I decided to let it slide.
‘I didn’t expect the ‘Plum Blossom’ moniker to stick.’
It seemed the rumors of plum blossoms emanating from my swordsmanship had spread.
My reputation had extended beyond Mount Hua, reaching the entire province.
The fact that the son of an escort agency head in the capital knew about it was a testament to that.
“Anyway, this Plum Blossom Sword Demon is incredibly strong!”
“Hmm…”
“He defeated Yoo Seong-ho, the Heaven’s Center Sword, in just a few moves!”
“…I see.”
“And he kept winning his matches, until no one from the Southern Peak Sect dared to challenge him!”
“…”
He was practically gushing with excitement.
I, however, remained speechless, unable to respond to his enthusiastic praise.
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Exaggerated sword demon 👿😈
He met a fan