Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Finding the Old Power (1)
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Storming in recklessly and attacking people.
Such things don't suit my temperament.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You're smiling.] "Oh, am I?"
That was how it was back then.
I had tried approaching politely at first, but the gatekeeper struck first. That was the problem.
"I'd like to meet your leader. Do you know how I might do that?"
When I asked like that, he said no. So I approached again, respecting them once more.
"Please let me see your leader."
But then he said words weren't getting through and drew his sword.
In the end, I had no choice but to send the gatekeeper flying with tears in my eyes. He had betrayed my respect.
"As long as he wasn't seriously hurt, it's fine, right?"
I wandered around the area for a while, observing this place called Peach Paradise closely.
When I coaxed them a bit and got them talking about the warriors of Peach Paradise, surprisingly, the upper ranks were tolerable, but the underlings were all gathered scum with rotten tempers.
"Disgraced warriors from destroyed sects all flocked here. Of course there'd be a truckload of guys with personalities too awful to look at. The bastards here are all just like me."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Similar how?] Sneaking up on women at night and assaulting them. Stabbings breaking out at drinking parties, leaving one dead.
Stories like that were common enough that the water here had turned rotten.
The upper parts of Peach Paradise, where Heavenly Path lives, probably aren't like that.
But the lower parts of Peach Paradise—these guys settled at the base of the mountains—sneakily avoid the Heavenly Demon's eyes and do all sorts of unforgivable things.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Why is that similar to you?] "I lived like a moron too... Well, she forgave me, but it was still unforgivable."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I don't quite get it.] I thought Peach Paradise, where peaches grow, would always have clean water.
"...Master wasn't always pure either."
They maintain order for now, but if something happens, they could kill without hesitation.
Heavenly Path, White Path—they're the same. Even the gentle Yellow Path has probably killed multiple times.
This Peach Paradise, raised by Heavenly Path, couldn't be the ideal paradise I imagined.
Strength is everything. Even the inn's errand boy told me.
Even a mere restaurant girl knows the Heavenly Demon's ways.
The Heavenly Demon conquered this place with the logic of power.
In the martial world, by martial law.
If weaker than me, kneel. If stronger, I kneel.
I planned to hold back anyway.
I won't kill unnecessarily.
"Groooan..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Is he really not dead?] "I hit only the spots that wouldn't hurt too much. Even looking like that, he doesn't have a single injury. Just some heavy bruising."
The pitch-black charred man couldn't even lift his head.
Red Wolf was down. The surroundings began to stir.
-I-Is he dead?
He's not dead.
Before midterms, during training with Heavenly Path, I learned a few things.
Where to strike, which nerves to hit with what magic to make them collapse painlessly.
But most importantly, people don't go down easily.
That guy was out cold at worst.
"Warriors rigorous in body training are like cockroaches. If I don't do this, who knows when he'll get up and charge."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You've been through a lot of battles.] "No? I got wrecked by Master. Even when I thought I was gonna die, I never did."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Ah.] Arms crossed, waiting for the next opponent, I scanned the surroundings.
How much time passed.
"Come here!"
From afar, atop a roof.
A voice came from the sky.
A playful, tomboyish tone full of mischief.
-Flutter flutter!
A girl leaped up lightly, appearing like a comet.
The girl mimicked air-walking, landing noisily on the ground nearby.
"You want to see my father?"
The girl, hands behind her back, walked straight through the crowd.
Warriors parted way for her movements.
A few didn't understand the situation, but other warriors elbowed their waists, signaling them.
-Hey, make way quick.
-Why all of a sudden?
-Look at the white hair.
The Heavenly Demon's eldest daughter.
I perked my ears at the scattered whispers.
Snow-white hair, fist on her hip arrogantly.
Her V-sign smile was just like my bratty cousin sister barging into my room on holidays.
"White Path. No, but eldest daughter?"
Eldest daughter should be Heavenly Path, as far as I knew.
Come to think of it, Heavenly Path had mentioned it once.
That no one knew she was the Heavenly Demon's daughter—it was a secret.
"Who are you?"
"...Show some respect."
The little White Path huffed as if she were the Jade Emperor himself.
The surroundings cooled instantly.
-Draw your sword.
-What? Didn't you see that guy fight?
-We're idiots, sure, but we can't let this slide. And if that kid gets hurt, everyone here gets purged.
Anyone could see they were worried about White Path.
Or more precisely, afraid of repercussions if White Path got hurt.
A ferocious killing intent rushed toward me right before combat.
But unlike the mood, White Path wore a pink apron.
"White Path!! Don't just run out like that."
Another kid followed behind the little White Path.
A girl running from afar, panting.
From her hair color, I knew exactly who.
"Didn't expect to see her here. Was the commotion bigger than expected?"
Yellow Path stuck close behind White Path, eyeing me warily.
Subtly. With deep interest.
Not the look for an enemy. Even the first time, Yellow Path had that look.
"I said bow and show respect!"
White Path raised her voice again.
I scratched the back of my head, staring blankly at her.
"If I can meet the Heavenly Demon, anytime."
Meeting him is the goal. If things go smoothly, great for me.
As I bowed, gasps erupted around.
-White Path calmed that monster!
Her lips curved up to the heavens at the praise.
White Path grinned brightly and approached me.
Smaller than Heavenly Path, but pale skin.
And reasonably trained body.
"Hehehe. So, you want to see my father?"
"Yes."
"Then you should follow me."
With that, she turned and strode ahead.
Should I follow her?
Doubt arose, but I soon trailed White Path.
The others knew she was the Heavenly Demon's daughter, so no ambush at least.
Passing several gates, into the central part of Peach Paradise. Then toward the upper part.
-Tap tap.
As I followed steadily.
Yellow Path, who had kept the most distance from me, now stared openly with interest right beside me.
Seemed she judged me not bad since I played along with White Path's whims.
"...Who are you, big brother?"
"Hmm, who knows? And you?"
"I'm Yellow Path."
As expected.
She looked the part from the start.
"From outside?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Wow. Big brother. Sisters say all outsiders are handsome. Is it true?"
Purely by charm stat, few match me.
I shook my head, and Yellow Path visibly pouted.
"But the men in magazines are all handsome..."
"Magazines only feature the top 1%."
"Huh."
Yellow Path hung her head like a rain-soaked puppy.
Cute enough to pinch her cheeks.
"Hmph."
Annoyed by our chat.
White Path yanked Yellow Path's arm, pulling her forward.
"Yellow Path, don't talk to him."
"Why? He seems nice."
"Guys like that are super sly on the inside."
"I can hear you, kids."
I thought White Path had that refined speech since childhood. But with Yellow Path, it's pure kid talk.
Guess the drunk speech was her real self.
I still remember White Path's teasing tone from drinking together— she loved messing with people.
"When do we arrive?"
"...Show respect. Almost there."
White Path snapped back, then strutted ahead but suddenly spotted something and hid with Yellow Path beside a wall.
What was it? Women carrying laundry approached from afar.
"What are you two doing?"
Yellow Path answered my question.
"Sneaking out to do this— if big sis or madam finds out, we'll get scolded for skipping chores."
"Yellow Path! I said don't say useless stuff!"
"But big brother asked? Sisters said to answer honestly when asked."
"Argh, so frustrating."
White Path pounded her chest, cheeks puffed hugely.
Clearly mad, but no life-or-death killing intent like adult White Path.
To me, both were just little sisters.
"Anyway... getting closer, I can tell for sure."
I gazed far at the mountain peak, calmly dissecting the mana I felt.
Black mana like mine.
But incomparably denser and stronger.
A chilling cloud of emotion, unlike anything even from Heavenly Path, welled deep in my chest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Noisy."
"Yes."
To the old man's words, Heavenly Path replied without stirring.
Atop a sheer rock cliff.
Seated in lotus position, Heavenly Path absorbed his words without distraction.
"Seems a guest has come."
At those words, a chill.
Heavenly Path's brow twitched.
The old man narrowed his long, slitted eyes.
"Someone you know?"
"...Not sure."
Heavenly Path recalled the man from last night.
No way. Even so, would that guy do something this stupid?
Stepping into her master's abode, no less.
Anyone knowing the "Heaven" in Heavenly Demon wouldn't. Limbs could scatter in an instant.
"First time seeing such a thick-faced bastard."
The old man swept back his gray hair, straightening his sleeve with wrinkled hands.
Even that slight motion made surrounding mana surge in response.
Over 2 meters tall.
With snake-like three-white eyes, he peered into the distant man's soul.
Heavenly Path's heart raced, fearing what might happen.
"Oh ho... Quite the peculiar one."
Until those words left the old man's mouth.
"Pardon?"
"You. Ever told anyone about this power?"
"No. I lack the skill, and the position. Never."
"Right, of course. Sigh. Connected to some damn tree too. Heavenly Path, expand your senses."
"...Yes."
Heavenly Path stirred her inner mana, slowly extending her senses.
Familiar silhouette. Two women, one man.
A familiar man's face flashed in her mind.
"That idiot... Why are they together?"
Swallowing curses inwardly, Heavenly Path steadied her trembling lips.
"F-Felt it."
"Then, give him a shot."
"Pardon?"
Heavenly Path hesitated.
"Watching's driving me crazy with curiosity... Show him everything I've taught you up to today, to the fullest."
"You mean... spar with that man?"
The old man didn't answer Heavenly Path's question.
No choice.
Master's word is absolute. Heavenly Path swallowed bitterly, regretting not warning him this morning.
"Didn't want it this way. Didn't even get his name, and now we're clashing first."
Heavenly Path cloaked her hands in pitch-black mana, ready to launch anytime.
The man approached slowly.
Oblivious to her presence.
"This way... it'll end in one exchange."
Clenching her fist, Heavenly Path held her breath and hid her presence.
He approached.
-Step.
He was here.
One strike until he passed.
The moment the man entered view, Heavenly Path kicked off the ground, shooting like a cannon.
-Boom!
Ripples spread, a sky-piercing roar echoed.
In the blink of an instant—a mere second—Heavenly Path reached him, thrusting mana-infused fist.
The man showed no reaction until then.
First to react to Heavenly Path's move: White Path.
Eyes wide, White Path gasped, stumbling back.
Next: Yellow Path.
Startled, she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Sorry."
An apology he wouldn't hear, and simultaneously.
Heavenly Path's extended fist neared his body.
Of course, it never connected.
-Thud!
The thrust fist was lightly blocked, Heavenly Path's balance pitched forward.
An inexplicable wind suddenly battered from mid-air, crumbling her stance.
"Ack!"
Sudden situation.
Blown by wind, Heavenly Path fell.
A brief, fragile voice escaped her lips.
-Poof!
The man caught falling Heavenly Path in his arms, looking at her curiously as if holding a product.
"What are you doing?"
He hadn't noticed until reacting.
Despite pride from training under the Heavenly Demon.
Heavenly Path blanked at the incomprehensible situation.
But carelessness is carelessness.
Heavenly Path pulled her face from his chest, furrowing her brow.
"...Ugh."
Now, all that awaited her was the heap of shame from defeat before her master.