Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Reclusive Expert Appears (5)
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After hearing Zhuge Ji-cheon say there was still a bit of time before dinner, I wandered around the family estate on my own, taking a stroll.
And in the meantime, the aroma of food began wafting through the air.
One of the maids came rushing up to me, panting, and offered to guide me, sweat pouring down her face.
[Maybe I should've just stayed in the room, Snow Python.]
[We lacked consideration.]
I could only imagine how much scolding she'd gotten for me disappearing from the room. It was truly pitiful.
Of course, all I could offer her right now was...
"Uh... would you like some candied fruit?"
"N-no, I'm fine, Benefactor."
"Hmm..."
Candied fruit, but she refused.
[Little one! Watch this seat!]
[...Fine, eat it.]
[Hee hee! Thank you!]
I just couldn't understand why Snow Python had tried to act tough with that middle-aged man's voice when we first met.
Realizing its true inner self was this childish made all the tension drain out of me.
In the meantime, the food smells grew closer and closer.
The Zhuge family's dinner was lavish and filled with incredibly exquisite dishes.
I took my seat, with the family head to my left.
Next to him sat the young master, while Ji-yeon sat across from me.
To my right was the lady of the house.
'I want some kimchi.'
I knew I shouldn't expect it in a wuxia world, but...
Looking at all these oily, spice-laden Chinese dishes made the thought linger inescapably in my mind.
Of course, they were indeed filled with rare delicacies from land and sea.
[Snow Python, I'm not into Chinese food.]
[Then sneak some over to this seat... I'm hungry...]
Snow Python whined and begged for some.
I nodded and turned to Hyun-deok, seated to my left.
He opened his mouth with a kind, amiable smile.
"With such a distinguished guest today, and to celebrate our family's connection with you, we've put extra care into this meal, Benefactor."
"Thank you."
I bowed my head, and the young master spoke up.
"I heard you're accompanying us to the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament. Just thinking about how the other families and sects will envy us already makes my shoulders feel lighter. Benefactor."
Zhuge Ji-cheon said this with what seemed like the world's most good-natured smile.
It might sound like praise, but...
[This is him indirectly asking if you can't come along.]
[I know.]
He was politely requesting that I not join them.
As proof, Hyun-deok and Ji-yeon were now staring at the young master in shock.
Well, whether he got scolded later was none of my business.
I just didn't like this Zhuge young master one bit.
Even my spirit beast was being cautious with its words.
'Well... his nose hasn't been bloodied yet.'
Yeah, I could understand that.
He seemed to get along well with the clever Ji-yeon.
His upright and kind personality made him popular with the maids, too.
Naturally, the male retainers respected him greatly as well.
So, it wasn't ignorance—it was just pure innocence.
I tried to console myself that he hadn't meant any harm.
[...Snow Python.]
[...Why do that and make me uneasy, little one?]
[If I hit him one more time, would he really die?]
[He wouldn't make it to the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, either.]
[Oh...]
[Little one...?]
Before I knew it, I was sizing him up.
[No. Little one, I don't know what you're thinking, but whatever it is, stop right now.]
Snow Python kept trying to dissuade me via transmission.
Tsking under my breath, I barely managed to keep my smile.
Ji-yeon and Hyun-deok were looking at me with uneasy eyes.
'...For their sake, I should let it slide.'
Yeah, the young master was just an idiot.
Thinking that way made it easier.
"Hearing the young master say that makes me glad to be the Zhuge family's 'ornament.'"
I said it in a light, flowing voice, and the young master's expression stiffened.
He seemed to finally realize what he'd said.
"Ahaha, eat before it gets cold, Benefactor! The Zhuge family's food is delicious. Go on, try it."
Ji-yeon urged me to eat as she said this.
'...I thought the Zhuges were normal.'
I let out a deep sigh, making Hyun-deok, Ji-yeon, and the lady flinch.
"It's delicious."
The young master kept saying it was good, regardless.
Up close like this, Ji-cheon just seemed a bit... lacking somewhere.
'Not just any family—the Zhuges acting like this makes them look bad.'
I worried if he'd even fight well at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
Hyun-deok said Ji-cheon had entered the mid-first-rate level, so his martial prowess was excellent.
[Brother, you think that'll just slide? You'll have to come apologize with me later.]
[Sorry.]
[Seriously, what will you do when I meet my husband and leave home?]
[Can't I just not meet him?]
[Looks like you took a bad hit to the head, brother.]
Here he was, getting nagged by his own spirit beast.
I had zero trust in him.
For reference, Ji-yeon had reached first-rate at eighteen—an unbelievable feat that was the pride of the Zhuges.
Even with such a genius right in front of me, my realm was so much higher that I could hear her transmissions clearly.
[Snow Python, is it always like this? Can other experts hear our transmissions too?]
[If their realm is vastly higher than yours, maybe... but probably not, in most cases.]
I asked if we might get caught, but Snow Python said no.
I nodded, paused for a moment, then...
[Then, could I interfere with it?]
[With your internal energy control, easily... No, whatever you're thinking, drop it right now.]
I smirked and subtly leaked internal energy under the table, unnoticed by anyone.
[Brother, brother? Can you hear me?]
Realizing her transmission wasn't going through, Ji-yeon panicked, then our eyes met as I chuckled softly.
I just gave a gentle smile as her face drained of color.
After dinner, I returned to the guesthouse and sat on the bed in a meditative pose.
[Planning to circulate your qi? No need. Your constitution naturally harmonizes with heaven and earth just by breathing.]
"Snow Python... you don't get romance..."
[Hmm, what's that word? Romance?]
"Never mind."
I closed my eyes and slowly breathed in and out.
Even so, I couldn't neglect the basics of meditation.
Through meditation, one knows oneself and masters oneself—only then can true martial arts lead to chivalry.
That's what makes it wuxia.
So, fooling around with Qi Circulation Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner—the foundations of it all—didn't sit right with me.
And then they call me an evil faction scum or a senile old monster from the righteous sects...
'I'm gonna go insane.'
The thought that I might truly fall into qi deviation wouldn't leave my mind.
[L-little one... this seat is scared, stop iiiiit...]
If Snow Python hadn't poked my cheek cutely with its tail to stop me, I might have.
"Hmm... sorry."
[It's fine.]
I couldn't see its face, but I knew Snow Python was smiling.
"Hmm, maybe I should just sleep."
[Yeah, nothing else to do.]
"Right, especially since we leave at dawn tomorrow."
The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was sooner than expected, so we had to depart at first light.
My heart was pounding when...
-Knock knock
I turned at the sound of someone knocking firmly on the door.
A familiar figure appeared beyond it.
"Who is it...?"
"It's Zhuge Ji-yeon, Benefactor. I've come with my brother to apologize for our rudeness at dinner..."
She said it in a deflated voice.
Snow Python and I both grinned widely.
"...I was getting bored anyway."
[This'll be fun.]
It seemed like it would be.
Ji-yeon walked down the hall with her brother Ji-cheon, sweating profusely.
Not just her—the entire family evaluated Ji-cheon like this:
His heart was as pure as a Shaolin monk's, his talent and swordsmanship rivaled the Nangongs', and though his looks didn't quite match the Beggars' Sect's Long-Eared Clan's...
The flower garden in that head of his outshone even the flowers in any Beggars' Sect nerd's garden.
The problem was that flowery exterior blooming from such a mind.
For reference, the Beggars' Sect nerd Long-Eared Clan's flower fields weren't mere gardens—they filled entire mountains with blooms.
"Seriously... brother...!!"
"...M-my ears are stretching!"
"Just go join the Beggars' Sect...! You're no help to the Zhuges!"
Zhuge Ji-cheon was so dim it was hard to believe he was family.
Well, he was smarter than those from other families, but...
Still, far too lacking to bear the Zhuge name.
'I made eye contact with the old monster... eye contact...'
With tears welling up, Ji-yeon dragged her brother by the ear toward the guesthouse where Ha-yeon was staying, intent on begging forgiveness.
The moment she asked if it was okay to go in...
"I don't want to."
"...Huh?"
"It's fine."
"......"
Her tone made it clear she was pouting.
Ji-yeon started sweating bullets for real.
"She said it's fine, let's go back, Ji-yeon."
"...Please just shut up...!"
Ji-yeon sniffled.