Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: House Gate
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Fortunately, no one had died or been seriously injured, but those who had endured the ambush, betrayal, and fierce battle were utterly exhausted.
Xiangyang County was not far off, but they judged it impossible to travel in this state and set up camp.
By the time the sun had set and they had lit a fire for a warm meal to fill their bellies, Song Seolryeong—who had been unconscious—finally awoke.
"Ah, you're awake?"
Having slept soundly on So-hyang's thigh, even drooling, her body felt light.
But her mind was deeply unsettled.
"Ugh, uwaaa...!"
Overwhelmed by unbearable embarrassment, Seolryeong's face flushed red, and her hazy mind cleared in an instant.
"I'm so sorry!"
"No, it was heartwarming just watching you sleep."
"Ah, um..."
She was at a loss for words.
What on earth is this person's true identity?
She had almost been fooled by the distinctive relaxed and gentle aura, but the face itself didn't look that aged.
According to her merchant-honed eye for detail... mid-teens, perhaps? Roughly the same age as herself.
As for the curvaceous figure unfit for her age, well, some were just born that way...
The real issue was the unfathomable gap in skill that she couldn't even begin to guess.
A master of such supreme caliber, with such a strikingly distinctive appearance, yet unknown to her. The more she thought, the deeper the mystery grew.
"Um... Miss? Or perhaps heroine? How should I address you...?"
Calling her "miss" suited the apparent age, but the realm was too exalted; "heroine" felt like addressing an elder.
"For now, my name is So-hyang."
So-hyang simply introduced herself to the bewildered Seolryeong.
"I'm sixteen this year."
It pricked her conscience a bit, but her physical age was indeed sixteen—no lie there—so So-hyang stood tall.
"Y-You're really that young, just as you look?"
Unable to believe her peer was truly the same age, Seolryeong's skeptical expression turned to shock.
"Until recently, I was training in a secluded mountain corner of the jianghu and just came down."
This, at least, was a plausible explanation.
New supreme masters who emerge suddenly from mountain seclusion without warning—they appeared periodically, though rarely.
"Indeed, if this is your first foray into the jianghu, it makes sense I wouldn't know you."
"Ah, my realm is the Transcendent."
"...Pardon?"
The Transcendent Realm.
A warrior who completes the Great Circulation, transcends bodily limits to form an energy reservoir, then surpasses limits once more to refine inner power into a law unto itself.
The emotional state of shedding mortal husk naturally to contain peak qi and spirit—commonly called Bone Transformation.
The vast qi condensed through will and enlightenment, filling the expanded Lower, Middle, and Upper Dantians.
Layering soul grade, mind, and enlightenment to ultimately knock on the gates of the microcosmic universe—the divine spirit.
Peak Realm warriors already transcend humanity; the Transcendent truly surpasses even the Peak.
It referred to the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects, patriarchs of the Five Great Families.
Or equivalents among the jianghu's supreme masters.
"B-But you said you're only sixteen...?"
"...That's right?"
A monster who had reached such a realm before twenty sat before her.
Even the War God was said to have attained Transcendent only in his early twenties—what was this?
With the power already demonstrated, at minimum late Peak Realm—no reason to bluff about that.
So it wasn't a lie...
"Haaa..."
Seolryeong covered her face with both hands, sighed deeply, and gave up thinking further.
Had she known it was understated for simplicity's sake, Seolryeong might have seriously feared her heart stopping.
-----
"A-Anyway, thank you so much for saving us. On behalf of the caravan, we'll repay you properly..."
"Oh, it was nothing. I got a good show, so call it even."
Indeed, attempting a breakthrough mid-battle was a rare sight.
Thus, Seolryeong's heart was a bit troubled. She had advanced her realm, but via such an abnormal method—would problems arise?
"Ah, no need to worry about that."
While she slept unaware, So-hyang had checked her pulse out of concern, and surprisingly, there were no internal injuries severe enough for aftereffects.
"You forced your channels open aggressively, but you deftly passed the dangerous parts. Impressive."
Any lingering damage, So-hyang had fully mended with spirit energy.
Treatment via qi.
She'd only known it theoretically and this was her first try, but due to its pure nature, simply infusing it proved highly effective.
"Ah, come to think of it!"
Seolryeong noticed the excruciating qi and blood pain from before fainting had completely subsided.
Not only peerless in martial prowess but skilled in qi arts too—what was her true identity? Lost in futile pondering, she simply expressed gratitude.
"I keep saying, it was really nothing. If it bothers you, since we're headed the same way, just guide me around the area."
During camp setup, So-hyang had learned their destination.
Conveniently Xiangyang County, so recommendations for inns or sights would be nice.
"If that's enough... I'll guide you to the best spots."
At their offer to cover lodging, meals, and travel expenses besides, So-hyang finally burst into laughter and accepted.
"Anyway, you must be hungry—how about some food? You need to replenish the blood you lost."
Seeing So-hyang speak with strangely sparkling eyes, Seolryeong felt an inexplicable chill.
"Eh? Ah, no. My stomach's unsettled..."
"Ahh... I see."
To So-hyang's subtly crestfallen expression, Seolryeong cautiously asked a question.
"...By the way, what brings you to Xiangyang County?"
Truth be told, Seolryeong had her guesses.
"Nothing much—a martial challenge tour."
"Ah, I see...!"
A natural progression after entering the jianghu.
Seeking instruction from fellow masters to gauge one's own martial arts.
"Then, you're thinking of heading to the Zhuge Clan...?"
"Yes. They say it's the family that wields martial arts most cleverly among the Five Great Families. I want to experience the famed Divine Strategy Zhuge firsthand."
"Wow, our caravan's destination is the Zhuge Clan too! Perfect! If we vouch for your status, the procedures will be much simpler!"
Seolryeong beamed, but So-hyang smiled ambiguously and declined.
"No, it's fine. No need for introductions."
Worried about offending her, Seolryeong chose her words carefully.
"...Miss So-hyang? Your skills are beyond doubt, but since you're new to the jianghu, things might get complicated."
Families like theirs prized authority especially; they didn't readily accept challenges from unproven, unnamed warriors.
Not only delays, but outright rejection at the gate was possible.
"Actually, that's exactly what I want."
"...Pardon?"
So-hyang grinned playfully, eyes gleaming.
"Getting turned away at the door—don't you think it'd be fun to experience once in life?"
Caught off-guard, Seolryeong was speechless.
"Uh, yes. Sounds fun..."
"Don't worry too much. No evil intentions."
She assured no one would die or be seriously hurt—just think of it as sightseeing.
As if that reassures anyone. Seolryeong rubbed her throbbing brow with a complicated expression.
They said supreme masters all had quirks, and this young one was no exception—abnormally so.
"...By any chance, when do you plan to visit?"
If a Transcendent master caused chaos, even the Five Great Families would be overturned entirely.
A living natural disaster.
If you couldn't stop it, at least evade.
"Ahaha..."
Guessing her thoughts, So-hyang laughed awkwardly. It wasn't entirely wrong, after all.
She had no intent to spark unmanageable trouble or skip compensation, but she did plan to stir things up.
What could she do? She wanted to experience the family's full might firsthand.
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After spending the night at camp, the caravan arrived in Xiangyang County without further incident.
Moving at others' pace rather than alone, dusk fell again.
"Hmm, visiting at such a late hour would be rude, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
Seolryeong barely swallowed the words that even your planned antics wouldn't qualify as rude.
In any case, So-hyang settled into the lodging Seolryeong arranged, drifting off early with excitement.
And awoke at dawn.
"Mm, what a refreshing morning."
Basking in the cool dawn breeze, she took a pleasant stroll and bought a bowl of noodles from an early-opening alley shop.
The taste was so-so, but the mood was atmospheric.
Only then did people starting their morning routines appear on the streets.
So-hyang strolled leisurely, asking passersby for the Zhuge Clan's location.
As one of the Five Great Families, it wasn't hard to find.
Without rushing, she soon stood before her destination.
Divine Strategy Zhuge.
First to catch her eye: the plaque above the grand gate.
"Oh, what splendid calligraphy."
True to their fame in literary arts, the brushwork was elegant, yet it hinted at unwavering martial vigor—not to be underestimated.
Self-proclaimed as mysteriously ingenious, their pride in the clan was evident.
Flanking the gate were guards on duty.
No signs of fatigue despite the early hour—befitting warriors of a renowned house.
So-hyang suppressed her bubbling excitement and mirth, composed herself, cupped her hands in salute.
"Greetings, everyone. Fine morning. My name is So-hyang."
Her stunning beauty that opened eyes wide, her calm, pleasing voice—sparkle lit the guards' gazes.
Perhaps showing favor? Their expressions mixed anticipation and goodwill.
But contrary to expectations, words from her softly rose-petal lips diverged far from their guesses.
"This nameless wanderer of the jianghu seeks instruction from the great Zhuge Clan."
Utterly formal, yet boiling down to "Let's spar."
The guards doubted their ears.
"...What did you say?"
No detectable inner power, no trained physique, not even a weapon.
Just a grown woman of exceptional beauty, otherwise unremarkable.
"Perhaps you're a traveler here to discuss literature?"
The Zhuges were renowned in scholarly pursuits too—that at least made sense.
But the woman before them shook her head firmly, driving the nail home.
"Of course, to discuss martial arts."
Morning sunlight bathed warmly, So-hyang smiled brighter still, and the guards were at a loss for words.