Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Sobriquet
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With a subtly gloomy expression, the clan head accepted So-hyang's request.
"...Fine. I'll assign someone to you, so head to the Wudang Sect."
As he spoke, he handed her a metal plaque slightly smaller than his palm.
"Grace...?"
It was an iron plaque engraved with a single character and the Zhuge clan's symbol—a Benefactor Token that certified the bearer as one who had earned the clan's grace.
It wasn't something to boast about, but just a few days ago, she had stormed into the clan and turned everything upside down...?
So-hyang gave an awkward smile as she looked at the clan head.
The clan head wore a reluctant expression even as he handed it over, as if questioning his own decision, before letting out a deep sigh.
Considering the outcomes, the damages amounted to nothing, and the knowledge offered as compensation far exceeded its worth.
Both the clansmen's perceptions and the reality confirmed that So-hyang was indeed the Zhuge clan's benefactor.
It just felt utterly bizarre.
"We can't entrust matters to an outsider. This will vouch for your authority."
The vouching for authority wasn't about personal identity in the usual sense—it meant granting rights to the matter in the Zhuge clan's name.
In other words, it proved that she, as a benefactor and a sort of guest retainer, was acting on the clan's behalf.
Proof of personal status wasn't necessary to begin with.
The world already knew of So-hyang through her duel with the clan head.
A master who had reached such a realm held a status as noble as any nobility in itself.
Be they of lowly blood or descendants of traitors, such experts commanded respect and reverence wherever they went.
No need to reach the transcendent realm—even peak realm experts were treated with utmost esteem anywhere.
"Just reciting your sobriquet would make most people scatter in fear."
A title that naturally followed martial fame.
"Sobriquet... sobriquet..."
So-hyang murmured softly, rolling the word around in her mouth as if it evoked deep emotions.
Being honored with a special nickname for being good at fighting was utterly absurd from the perspective of her previous life.
There, she had been reviled as a mass murderer or one of the top ten most wanted criminals, viewed at best with eyes filled with fear.
The martial world's culture of sobriquets, infused with admiration and respect, felt profoundly alien to So-hyang.
Yes. So-hyang now had her own sobriquet.
It didn't feel bad at all.
No warrior in Yangyang County—no, not even ordinary folk—could have missed the commotion a few days ago.
The fierce duel between the Zhuge clan head and an unknown rising master.
No one was unaware that the clan head had reached the transcendent realm, even if his fame wasn't widely known.
There were few proven feats to elevate his martial prowess in estimation, yet few dared to underestimate him either.
The Crouching Dragon, who concealed his strength and kept a low profile—that was the world's view of the clan head.
And that view was not wrong.
The overwhelming traces of power etched into the plains and the massive aftermath that engulfed the area.
Even deploying his signature ultimate techniques, it was a divine feat that clearly transcended the transcendent realm's limits.
And even more shocking was that despite the clan head displaying such divinity...
The victory belonged to the rising master.
"...This is driving me crazy. Where the hell did this guy come from?"
"Damn, but she's ridiculously pretty."
Naturally, the county's intelligence networks were in an uproar.
The Beggar Clan, the Hao Clan, Hanlim Academy publishing martial news, and various other factions all focused on uncovering So-hyang's identity.
Name: So-hyang.
Age: Sixteen.
"Is this for real? Not some rejuvenation trick?"
"It's insane, but they say it's true. No white hair, nails intact and all."
The unprecedented case of glimpsing the pinnacle of martial arts just past childhood naturally sparked doubts, but they were quickly dispelled.
"Wait, silvery-white eyes and that name... Isn't this the imperial assassination from five years ago?"
"Where the hell is that Face-Changing Fiend hiding...? Damn, she looks exactly the same. Must be her."
Moreover, digging into past records fully quelled suspicions about her age.
"Even the War God reached transcendent around twenty. What kind of monster is this?"
They scraped together miscellaneous info, but nothing substantial on her martial arts style.
Being transcendent, only a handful who witnessed the duel could even discern if she used a swift sword or heavy blade.
All they knew was that she wielded a sword.
Thus, standards for gauging transcendent masters boiled down to two:
Feats against peers of the same realm.
Testimonies from peers of the same realm.
Both were hard to apply to this freshly emerged rising master.
All they could do was probe her through non-martial details.
First, appearance.
Even to those familiar with famed beauties like the Four Flowers of the Martial World or the Supreme Beauty, her looks were jaw-dropping— a given.
"Her features are distinct too. All pure white."
White robes, pale eyes, and even her sword a pristine white longsword.
"White character in the sobriquet for sure."
Next, conduct and reputation.
"Heard she smashed through the Zhuge clan's main gate and barged in."
"I heard that too... but the clansmen speak highly of her?"
It wasn't top secret, so gauging her reputation from clansmen was easy.
"Lady So-hyang? An incredible person. Her insights on the sword are profound beyond belief. Thanks to her, I broke through a wall I'd hit for years."
Generous with teachings, it seemed.
"She's a god of mathematics! She solved dozens of problems that stumped us for decades like cracking peanuts! I must worship her!"
What was this?
...Deeply erudite, then.
"Ahh... Lady So-hyang! Just thinking of that beautiful face makes my heart ache with pounding pain! No flower in the world compares, but if I must liken her, she's the epitome of a pristine white lotus, yet even that falls short..."
And what was this?
"...What the hell kind of person is she?"
Even after defeating the clan head, how could her reputation among clansmen be this stellar?
The consistent praise for her gentle and kind nature suggested no vicious or abrasive traits.
Such rumors, those tales, and more.
Based on info gathered from various sources, the Hanlim Academy scholars began their meeting.
Hanlim Academy was a sort of publishing house compiling and distributing martial world news.
Famously audacious, they ranked the world's top hundred masters by interviewing transcendent experts.
They published general news gazettes and gossiped on topics like martial beauties or hero of the month.
They also officially propagated sobriquets for high-level warriors.
"Not a later-generation talent, and tagging 'Flower' on a transcendent master won't do..."
Flower titles emphasized looks over prowess—unfit for one who bested a major clan head.
"'Heir' doesn't fit her age either."
Sobriquets like Sword Heiress felt off for young transcendent women experts.
Had she rampaged through the Zhuge clan without compensation, they might've considered Mad or Ghost prefixes, but that was moot now.
As heated debate raged on her sobriquet, one scholar propped his chin and offered a bored suggestion.
"Just go with White Lotus Sword simply?"
"Hey, that's so half-assed... Huh?"
Upon reflection, it was adopted.
It perfectly captured her traits without regional fluff, granting a unique gravitas befitting her prowess.
A fitting sobriquet all around—unanimous.
"...Still feels iffy."
Transcendent sobriquets usually elevated prior ones.
For instance, Windcloud Swordsman at peak might become Windcloud Sword King at transcendent.
Elevating an existing title minimized complaints...
"But she has no prior feats?"
Even hermetic training couldn't justify debuting at transcendent—unprecedented in martial history.
A transcendent master dropped from the sky.
What if she disliked their sobriquet?
The solution was simple.
If unsure, don't; if doubtful, ask.
"...So you came to ask me about my sobriquet?"
So-hyang let out a bewildered chuckle.
"Yes! If Lady So-hyang has preferences, we'll incorporate them fully!"
"Wouldn't that be weird?"
Sobriquets were bestowed by others, not self-proclaimed.
Calling yourself Sword God or War God meant nothing without recognition from others' eyes.
Having the subject name it themselves—
"Takes the romance out of it, doesn't it...?"
In crude terms, it soured the vibe considerably.
"W-well then, we've brainstormed a list. How about picking from these?"
White Lotus Sword, White Lotus Divine Maiden, White Sword Fairy, White Flower Sword—pages crammed with agonized options.
"...Can't you just decide? I won't complain."
"Yes, sir! Terribly sorry!"
So-hyang watched the pale-faced scholars retreat, her gaze subtly cooling.
It felt like peeking behind the curtain.
White Lotus Sword.
Anyhow, So-hyang's first sobriquet.
Song Seolryeong's eyes shook violently.
"Th-the great hero will accompany us?"
The warrior before her, now called the White Lotus Sword, wished to travel with them back to Jun County, home of Mount Wudang.
"Yes, our paths align, after all?"
It also served as protection.
Somehow sensing the divine object among their cargo, raiders might strike again.
Of course, Song Seolryeong knew this but couldn't shake her discomfort.
Like an ant traveling with an elephant.
"And this person next to you...?"
"Pleased to meet you! I'm accompanying Lady So-hyang to visit the Wudang Sect!"
"Lady...?"
By age and looks, it wasn't wrong, but calling a transcendent master "lady" like some debutante?
"Before being a warrior, Lady So-hyang is a woman! If the term bothers you, I'll correct it!"
A youthful man with the Zhuge clan's signature brown hair and ruggedly handsome features.
His eyes brimmed with open, unhidden affection—not sinister lust, but pure fondness.
"Sorry for the late introduction! I'm Zhuge Hansang!"
The one person assigned by the clan head.
A talented warrior who had broken into peak realm young, now eyeing mastery.
And the naive youth who, just days ago, had proposed courtship with marriage in mind—only to be firmly rejected by So-hyang.
"Honored to travel with you, Lady So-hyang!"
Song Seolryeong recoiled slightly at the manic gleam in his bright, sparkling eyes, turning to So-hyang.
"...Is it really okay to travel with him?"
"Huh? He's lively— isn't that nice?"
So-hyang felt no aversion.
She couldn't return his feelings, but his cheerful demeanor was pleasant enough.
So-hyang patted his back approvingly with a bright smile.
"Uh, uh, eek...?"
Zhuge Hansang, persistent in his affections, proved vulnerable to unexpected contact.
His face flushed crimson in an instant.
"N-no, this is, fine...?"
Song Seolryeong's eyes shook even more.
Was tagging along with a guy wooing a transcendent female master really wise?
She was a natural disaster to begin with— was this personnel choice sane? Was the clan head in his right mind?
The anxiety that offending her might spark disaster wouldn't fade.
"Ugh... stomachache..."
Song Seolryeong clutched her belly, rubbing it as tears welled in her eyes.