Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Young Lord's Silver Tongue
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What’s a promise?
‘You know something?’
“There seems to have been some discussion among the Central Plains sects regarding the Wild Wind Squad.”
“W-We have no idea what the inside story was up to this point.”
“But from the rumors, it’s said there was some secret alliance among the Central Plains sects concerning the disbandment of the Wild Wind Squad that wasn’t made public—”
‘So what is that?’
“…We don’t know.”
‘Sigh. I shouldn’t have asked. You guys are always useless when it matters.’
“W-We’re sorry.”
“Matters related to the Tang Clan are usually kept under strict secrecy—”
It was impossible to know what the Lion Blade King was saying.
But from the context, one thing was clear.
There was some secret behind the disbandment of the Wild Wind Squad and the birth of the Nine Dragons Branch Family.
The Lion Blade King had latched onto that very point, and Tang Ho-san hadn’t minded at all—in fact, he’d even aimed his Soul Reaping Blade at the Reincarnation Demon.
It might even be connected to whatever plot the Dark Lord and Tang Ho-san were scheming this time.
‘This is such a pain, seriously.’
Neither the Nine Dragons Branch Family nor the Lion Blade Sect showed any intention of backing down.
The Nine Dragons Branch Family wouldn’t yield an inch since its predecessor had been renowned for its fierce exploits on the battlefield, and the Lion Blade Sect, built around ronin, refused to show weakness.
At this rate, a fight could break out any moment.
The problem was Gu Min-chae, that bastard’s spawn, watching the whole thing with gleeful fascination.
I couldn’t just let him have all the fun, could I?
I opened all three stages of the Tri-Dantian at once.
Poison Dragon Heart Technique
Demon Dragon Rampage
Wild Wind Dance
One Gale Wild Wind
As the third stage of the Poison Dragon Heart Technique, unlocked with the Yin Note, blended with the Wild Wind Dance’s gale, a demonic wind howled.
At the same time, I gripped the spear in my hand long and swept it upward.
Ferocious Tiger Twelve Spears
Black Tiger Savage Fangs
Roooaaar!
The tiger’s claws, swung with draconic momentum, sliced exquisitely through the clash point between the Pure Wind Pavilion and Blade Master Squad’s auras.
The taut standoff shattered, sending fragments scattering in all directions.
“!!”
“!!”
Warriors from both sects turned shocked faces toward me, regardless of affiliation.
They seemed stunned by how much I’d grown beyond what they’d seen before.
Only Tang Ho-san, who had briefly crossed hands with me, showed no surprise, merely a glint of intrigue in his eyes.
“Hah—”
“I wondered how strong the branch leader’s son could be—”
“The rumor that he took down twenty Blade Master Squad members in one blow—was that true?”
“This isn’t exaggeration; if anything, the rumors undersold it.”
“Even Yi Cheolsan, Sichuan’s top late-stage talent, wasn’t this impressive back then…!”
Ignoring the murmuring spectators, I stepped forward boldly.
All eyes were on me.
“What are you doing, Branch Leader? These are our guests. If the host mistreats visitors, the Tang Clan’s reputation will suffer in the jianghu for ages.”
Tang Ho-san narrowed his brows slightly, as if trying to read my intentions.
“Once they show hostility, they’re no longer guests. That’s the Nine Dragons Branch Family’s iron rule.”
“No. They are guests. These people came specifically looking for me, not the Nine Dragons Branch Family. So my rules apply.”
“Your… guests?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Tang Ho-san’s eyes.
I nodded.
“Yes. From the start, didn’t Hero Wi clearly state his purpose was to find me?”
“That’s… true.”
Tang Ho-san stroked his chin thoughtfully, then lowered his hand.
“Everyone, sheathe your Soul Reaping Blades.”
The Pure Wind Pavilion agents looked a bit flustered but complied without protest, holstering their blades.
It was a fine display of their discipline.
“Then handle this matter and see it through, young branch leader. If any harm comes to the branch, you’ll be held strictly accountable.”
“Thank you.”
I cupped my hands and bowed slightly, then turned my gaze to the Lion Blade King and Blade Master Squad.
They had been flailing in confusion after the murderous Pure Wind Pavilion lowered their weapons.
The Lion Blade King burst into booming laughter.
“Pah hahaha! Me, a mere guest? Who in this world would dare spout such nonsense! You’ve got guts, kid!!”
Calling him a guest could imply our relationship was on equal footing.
It might even be an insult to the Lion Blade King, but from my brief impression, he was a free spirit who couldn’t care less about worldly etiquette or opinions.
He felt more like a demonic faction type than orthodox.
If he’d joined the Demonic Cult, he’d have had plenty of friends.
「The Lion Blade King actually has personal ties with a few of the Demonic Cult’s great demons.」
「His origins as a ronin place him outside orthodox-demonic divides, doesn’t it? That’s why the Lion Blade Sect has those traits.」
Then I knew exactly how to butter up this straightforward fellow.
It was something we did all the time in the Demonic Cult.
“I’m grateful for your kind view.”
“But I despise big mouths with nothing to back them up. No, I scorn them. If you want to host me as a guest, it means you’re ready for a test, right?”
“It would be an honor to receive guidance from a regional overlord like yourself. I should be groveling and begging for the chance.”
The lingering spirits jumped in alarm.
「Young Cult Leader!?」
「You don’t plan to accept that brute’s challenge, do you?」
「No matter how swiftly you’ve grown lately, you haven’t regained your past prowess. Taking on the Lion Blade King’s aura in that state is far too dangerous—」
Tang Ho-san’s sound transmission followed.
『Test or whatever, it’s just the Blade King’s bullying. You must’ve seen through any ulterior motives. What are you thinking?』
If he wanted revenge for Chao Du-yang, he could’ve sent someone else.
Yet the Lion Blade King had rushed here personally from afar, which meant he was after something from me.
I didn’t know what.
But he wouldn’t let go of his fixation on me.
So I needed to steer this situation in my favor.
「What are you aiming for?」
I had two goals.
First, reputation.
‘Defeating the White Bone Net Demon and Little Waterway Ghost’ was good, but ‘the late-stage talent who passed the Lion Blade King’s test’ would resonate far more with Central Plains folk.
The Demonic Cult was distant, but the Lion Blade King’s prestige was right here.
And after thwarting the Dark Lord’s assassination, my fame would skyrocket.
I needed to climb much higher than this to find my master.
And the second…
“But I have a request.”
“A request?”
“Yes. It’s getting too late today, and I’m not at full strength right now. It’s a clan matter, so I can’t go into details, but the day I faced the Blade Master Squad, I was on a separate mission. I haven’t fully recovered from the fatigue and internal injuries from then, so I can’t give my all in a test.”
The Lion Blade King narrowed his eyes, scanning me up and down to gauge the truth.
His aura probed my body, but I didn’t block it—just let it be. It wasn’t a lie anyway.
“…It’s true. You took down twenty Blade Master Squad members even while nursing internal injuries from a tough mission? Ha! Useless lot.”
The Blade Master Squad members shrank like turtles under his glare.
Chao Du-yang, in particular, glared at me like an enemy despite his bowed head.
There was a slight(?) misunderstanding about the timeline, but I didn’t bother correcting it.
“So? You want time to recover?”
“Yes. You must be weary from the long journey yourself, Hero Wi. Why not rest up together?”
“Ha! A kitten fretting over a lion. I can run a thousand li in a day without breaking a sweat.”
Look at him bragging after a little flattery.
As if he could do what even my master couldn’t.
“How could I not know that? I’m just saying there’s no need to rush the test. Since you’ve come all this way, why not take it easy and enjoy Sichuan’s scenery?”
“Enough. I’ve toured mountains and rivers plenty in my youth. How much time do you need?”
Perfect.
I smiled brightly.
“I’d appreciate ten days.”
“The Tang Clan has heaps of potent medicines—why so long? You’re not stalling, are you?”
“Then give me five days. As acting branch leader, I can’t just focus on recovery.”
“Three days.”
“You must give me five.”
“Four. No more!”
“Sigh… Understood. Then I’ll face your test in four days.”
“Good.”
The Lion Blade King nodded in satisfaction, but this was exactly the time I’d aimed for from the start.
Simple folks are so easy.
「Somehow this feels like—」
「The young cult leader’s got him hooked already, doesn’t it…?」
“Then instead of standing here, please come inside. I’ll escort you personally to the White Pavilion where I stay.”
“You’ve got manners to match your guts.”
“A Blade King like you can’t stay in the regular guest quarters with everyone else.”
“Hahaha! That makes sense!”
「It’s not just a whiff anymore—he’s already caught. Heh heh, taming that prickly Blade King like this—」
This was my second goal with the Lion Blade King.
Let it spread that I was hosting him as a personal guest.
It would signal to the world just how solid my position was.
There were still plenty who discriminated based on faction lines; this would shut them up.
No more treating me like a green kid either.
Even now, the surrounding gazes that had dismissed me as a novice were filled with shock and awe.
“Then allow me to guide you to your quarters.”
“Fine. Let’s see how well you host.”
As the Lion Blade King followed my lead toward the branch compound, the Blade Master Squad naturally tried to tag along.
But the Pure Wind Pavilion blocked their path with stern faces.
“Only Hero Wi is here as the young branch leader’s guest. The Blade Master Squad members cannot enter.”
“What the—?”
The Blade Master Squad twisted their faces in protest.
But the Lion Blade King’s order came first.
“Blade Master Squad, don’t stir up pointless trouble. Wait outside until further orders.”
“L-Lord Sect Leader!?”
Disbelief flashed across the suddenly abandoned(?) squad’s faces.
“What? Problem?”
“Th-Then we can’t protect you!”
“Do I look like some clueless novice without your protection?”
“Th-That’s not—”
“I was personally invited here as the young branch leader’s guest. This polite kid isn’t about to plot murder! Follow orders.”
While the Blade Master Squad stood dumbfounded, the Lion Blade King slipped fully into the compound.
Just before crossing the main gate, I winked at the chuckling Tang Gon.
『See? Just like I said.』
Truth be told, I’d secretly instructed him to block the Blade Master Squad.
Tang Gon looked exasperated.
『…Heh! It actually worked? The young lord’s silver tongue… at this level, it’s practically sorcery!』
『Hey! Silver tongue? This is called persuasion, persuasion! It means my sincerity got through!』
『Deception got through, you mean.』
This guy never lets up.
『Anyway, with the groundwork laid this far, you can handle the rest, right?』
『Heh heh heh! Of course. I’ll make sure they never bark at our branch again—give ’em the full treatment.』
Gu Ryong County and nearby villages were packed with visitors, making it hard to find rooms at inns or guesthouses.
Even if spots opened, Pure Wind Pavilion could snatch them.
The plan was to keep the Blade Master Squad spinning in circles, exhausting them while hunting for lodging.
“Ehehehehehe!”
Tang Gon’s scheming laughter was downright villainous.
I swear I won’t grow up to be like that guy!
「Truly learned so much from the young cult leader—such a cunning side.」
「Exchanging barbs like this… the Nine Dragons Branch Family’s future looks bright.」
Then Tang Gon suddenly asked.
『By the way, what’s your plan for the duel? The Blade King won’t hold back just because he likes you… You wouldn’t have asked for four days without a strategy.』
He knows me too well.
I grinned.
『Of course I have one.』
『As expected! What is it?』
『A sword.』
『Hm?』
Tang Gon eyed me like I’d spouted nonsense, but I just kept grinning.
Reincarnation Demon God Saga