Chapter 368: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 368: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (9)
Henan was a city that never slept, its brilliance a testament to its status as one of the most advanced metropolises in the land.
While darkness swallowed other regions at night, Henan remained awash in light. Lanterns hung in glowing strings between buildings, bathing the streets in a warm, perpetual glow. Thanks to this illumination, the city teemed with life long after sunset.
I moved slowly through the bustling crowd, my steps measured. I was careful to keep the cloth covering my face securely in place. Even with that precaution, a thread of unease ran through me, so I subtly circulated my Qi to suppress my presence. To any ordinary person without cultivated energy, I would be virtually invisible unless they stood directly in my path. Even those with some martial ability would struggle to sense me.
Which is why the man who began following me was clearly no ordinary individual.
He had detected me despite my suppressed aura and casually stopped me to ask for directions to the White Forest Inn. Though I couldn't see him clearly, the sharp, cutting intensity radiating from him marked him as a formidable martial artist. I could tell he was a swordsman from his gait and breathing pattern—a fact his waist-borne sword made unmistakable. His cultivation felt, at the very least, at the perfect stage of the Peak Realm.
Who was he? A martial artist of his caliber should be famous, yet I couldn't place him just from his aura.
But the most surprising thing about him was his personality.
"So my daughter—"
"…"
The man, whose aura was as sharp and dense as a honed blade, turned out to be incredibly talkative. He rambled incessantly about his daughter, a topic I found rather tiresome.
"She was already cute enough, but somehow she's becoming even more beautiful."
"I see."
"She looks just like her mother, which is just adorable."
His cheerful tone left no doubt about his deep adoration for his child.
Daughter, huh? So, a female martial artist is staying at the White Forest Inn.
A few names came to mind. The Heavenly Dragon Academy didn't have many women, and swordswomen were even rarer. Of course, her father being a swordsman didn't mean she was one; the Gu Clan was a prime example. Despite the Clan Lord being a close-combat expert, Gu Huibi had made her name with a sword.
Who could it be? Someone from the Yeon Clan? Or the Seon Clan? I guessed she was from a prominent clan. While I was aware of their existence, I wasn't obsessed with the young mistresses of the world and couldn't recall all their family names. I could only think of about five possibilities. From his buoyant tone, it seemed his daughter had thankfully survived the recent turmoil.
I stole a glance at him. His face was obscured, and even if I could see it, I might not recognize him. I could sharpen my senses with Qi to get a clearer look, but doing so would alert him. Offending a man of his strength was not a risk worth taking, no matter how curious I was.
Despite my usual indifference, I had one specific reason for my curiosity about this man.
…Perhaps…
I wondered if he was related to someone I knew. The Lords of the Four Noble Clans were all expected in Henan for the gathering. Since I was on friendly terms with three of their daughters, I considered if he might be one of those fathers. But I dismissed the thought almost immediately.
There's no way he'd arrive this early, with a full week remaining.
The Four Noble Clans stood at the pinnacle of nobility. Their Lords carried immense honor, prestige, and overwhelming pride. Was this a clichéd view? I didn't think so. They were constantly embroiled in power struggles, which made the Orthodox Faction gathering critically important to them. Ironically, a primary concern was the order of their arrival. Showing up late was unacceptable, but arriving first was equally undesirable. It sounded ridiculous, but such petty calculations were commonplace. It was utterly childish.
For one of them to arrive a week early? Unthinkable for men of such pride.
At the very least, this man isn't one of them.
His shabby appearance, so at odds with his powerful aura, further proved it. He didn't carry himself like a noble clan lord. No Clan Lord would arrive without a carriage or attendants, let alone ask a stranger for directions. Surely not.
My thoughts were interrupted when the man spoke again.
"May I ask why you are going to that inn yourself, Young Expert?"
"…I'm visiting a friend."
"A friend, huh? I see."
His tone made it clear he didn't assume I was one of the students staying there.
"Young Expert."
"Yes?"
How bothersome. Why did he keep talking?
"Do you perhaps know about the Young Prodigy with the title, Lesser King of Hell?"
"…"
My shoulders flinched instinctively. Just hearing that title made me want to cover my ears.
"…Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no special reason. I just heard he's been making waves in the streets of Henan recently."
"…He's famous, yes. Though it's all due to some ridiculous rumor."
Damn it. I never thought I'd live to hear someone talk about me like that to my face. Thankfully, he didn't seem to suspect I was the so-called Lesser King of Hell.
"Absurd, you say? Do you think so too, Young Expert?"
"Yes, it's absurd. Far too absurd."
As I replied, the man suddenly tapped my shoulder. What was he doing? I gave him a questioning look, but for some reason, he seemed to be in a great mood.
"You think deeply for someone so young. I admire that."
"…All of a sudden?"
What had he seen in me to say that? All I'd done was dismiss a rumor. Perhaps he is out of his mind? The thought made me instinctively put more distance between us. I resolved to part ways with him the moment we reached the inn.
I quickened my pace. The inn wasn't far, but the crowded streets slowed us down. Henan was always busy, but recent events had made it even more congested. The Gathering of the Orthodox Faction was the cause. More precisely, crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the key figures attending the meeting. At least half of the Hundred Masters of the World were arriving—rarely seen monsters of martial arts. Their successive arrivals had drawn swarms of people, packing the streets.
"Young Expert."
He called out again as I navigated the throng. Maybe I should just tell him to be quiet?
"Do you perhaps have a fiancée, Young Expert?"
Now he was prying into my personal life?
"…I do have one."
And yet, I was still answering.
"I see. Do you like your fiancée?"
"Well, I don't dislike her."
Why was he asking these questions? It was starting to make me uncomfortable.
The man fell silent after my response, as if he had nothing more to say. But then—
"Actually, about my daughter…"
Never mind. Here we go again. How much farther was this inn? Not much farther now. I decided I would stop responding. I just wanted to get away from him.
"My sweet, kind daughter seems to have gotten tangled up with some no-good scoundrel."
"Haha, I see."
Now he was getting truly personal. He must have been frustrated to pour this out to a stranger, but I had zero interest.
"Apparently, he's even engaged to another girl."
"Ah, I see."
Yet, for some reason, I found myself listening more closely. His daughter was interested in a man who was already engaged? She must be out of her mind, too. Why would she fall for someone like that?
"My daughter told me that he would leave his current fiancée to get together with her… isn't he a disgusting bastard for that?"
"What a crazy bastard."
He seriously must be crazy. Flirting while engaged was bad enough, but planning to break it off for another woman? How incredible must this bastard think he is? He was probably tall and handsome. I didn't know who he was, but he must've been coasting through life. Still, I felt sorry for the girl who fell for him. It was clear he'd leave her for someone else eventually. This kind of story was all too predictable. Tsk, tsk. She was young and didn't know the world's cruelty. Kids these days… hearing this made me shake my head. Of course, I wasn't exactly in a position to judge, given my own lack of experience.
"You must be incredibly frustrated by all this."
I didn't want to engage, but I offered a token comfort after sensing his despair.
"I appreciate you for noticing my pain… Also,"
"There is… more?"
"I heard a rumor that bastard is seeing other women besides my daughter."
"…What an impressive bastard he must be."
He had more than one or two women? Jeez. He must be something else. How did he even manage that? I guess that was a talent in its own right. Should I be jealous? Most men would, but I felt nothing.
The man continued, his voice dropping. "I… held back as my daughter requested, but if that rumor turns out to be true…" If it's true? "I'll break his arms and legs. No matter what it takes."
Killing intent dripped from his words. He wasn't joking. It was understandable. Though I had no children, I might do the same in his position.
"I see… I hope you succeed."
"Thank you for listening to such a random story, Young Expert."
He seemed aware of how odd it was to share this with a stranger. Hearing this, I responded with a faint smirk.
"It was pretty interesting to hear."
I lied. I wasn't entertained, but I feigned interest since we'd part soon. It meant we were finally nearing the White Forest Inn.
Was it the largest inn in Henan? The one Moyong Hi-ah had mentioned last time was grand, but this one was equally impressive. The food was especially great here.
I wonder if the girls are already inside, waiting.
After my intense mountain training, I'd told them not to wait due to my irregular schedule. Yet, they always did. Because of that, I tried my best to arrive early. If they were deliberately waiting, expecting this, it was impressive in its own way.
As I reached for the door handle, the man spoke again.
"Thank you for guiding me. If we meet again, I'll be sure to repay the favor."
With his words lingering, I pushed the door open.
Creak—
The interior of the inn came into view.
"There's no need for that. I was coming here anyway."
I said it to avoid further involvement, but he chuckled, seemingly misunderstanding.
"I can't let it go unreturned. It's important to repay kindness. I swear on my name, Moyong Tae, that I will repay your favor someday, Young Expert."
"No, you seriously don't have to- …Wait, what?"
Just as I was about to step inside, I froze solid.
…What did he just say?
"Moyong…?"
"Master!"
A familiar voice rang out. It was Moyong Hi-ah. The moment she noticed me, she hurried over.
"We have a problem! I just heard that Father has already arrived in Henan— …Huh?"
Moyong Hi-ah, who rarely ever looked panicked, froze like a statue the moment her eyes landed on the man standing behind me.
Noticing her reaction, I turned around.
Creak.
My body moved stiffly, as if rusted shut. I forced my neck to turn and looked at the man's face beneath his cover.
He had a sharp nose and thick eyebrows. It was a middle-aged man with cold, frosted eyes.
Standing before the man, whose aura was a paradoxical mix of kindness and cold severity, Moyong Hi-ah broke the silence first.
"...My… Lord?"
Her voice wavered as she addressed him. Her words left my mind blank.
The man's piercing gaze shifted toward me. His eyes were as cold as falling snow.
"Young Expert."
His voice was completely different from before. Gone was the warm, cheerful tone he'd used while talking about his daughter. Now, it sounded like he was struggling to contain emotions on the verge of erupting.
"...Y…Yes?"
"It might be late to ask this now,"
Tap.
He gently placed his hand on my shoulder. Though his touch was light, it felt so heavy I feared my shoulder might give out.
"But, may I ask your name?"
"…"
Hearing his question, laced with pure killing intent, I could only nod to myself.
Ah. I see.
Looks like I'm absolutely screwed.