Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Reclusive Expert Appears (7)
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Darkness had settled thickly over the night.
A forest incongruously strewn with peach blossoms that defied the season, illuminating the night in its glow.
The Beggars' Sect was a faction open to all in the Central Plains.
A sect dominated by the Long-Eared Clan, who loved spreading rumors.
They were often mistaken for beggars due to their ragged, penniless appearances as they wandered about begging.
But if you treated them well, they could provide valuable information.
Anyway, even among the Beggars' Sect, the highest rank was the Nine Beggars.
In other words, the Sect Leader. It was said that nature itself welcomed him just by his standing there.
And he, in turn, embraced nature, causing peach blossoms to bloom around him unintentionally.
That meant...
"...You bastard! Do you even know where you are, casually chugging booze like that?"
"Foolish assassin..."
The man before this assassin was precisely that—the Leader of the Beggars' Sect.
"Have you truly never heard my name?"
"......"
"Since you seem clueless, I'll tell you. I am the Majestic Wind Horn."
The man in tattered, hole-ridden clothes topped with a bamboo hat poured liquor straight from the bottle into his mouth.
"...The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament hasn't started yet."
"......"
"You, some Evil Faction scum, right? What business brings you here, hic...?"
The man grinned sleazily.
Despite his shabby, staggering appearance...
Letting one's guard down would be a mistake.
'...Damn it.'
The assassin ground his teeth.
It was supposed to be a simple commission: assassinate some third-rate novice at best.
But now that the Beggars' Sect Leader knew, word would reach the Martial Alliance in no time.
"......"
"...Not gonna talk, huh? Puhah...!!"
The Leader's hiccuping and stumbling intensified.
The Long-Eared Clan had lifespans far longer than the Han.
So even if he looked like a youthful man in his thirties...
'An old monster lurks inside...'
His internal energy reserves must be monstrous.
"Haa..."
With every breath he took, it felt like nature itself sided with him.
"What a fine night! Isn't it, brother?!"
The assassin didn't reply.
After all, the Leader had vanished the moment he spread his arms wide with mad eyes.
No presence could be felt at all.
It was only natural.
Nature hid him, nature served as his ears.
All he had to do was drink, surrender to his hazy mind, and nature would handle the rest.
"Here!!!"
-Thud!!!
"Gahk...!!!!"
Nature would lead him to victory.
"Kuhahaha! Good one!"
The Leader grinned as he poured more liquor into his mouth.
Watching him, the assassin heaved ragged breaths.
'...My arms are broken.'
He'd at least managed to protect his head.
But both arms were now spectacularly shattered.
Swinging a sword properly would be impossible.
-Gulp gulp
More liquor flowed into the Leader's mouth.
He couldn't even drink properly now.
His filthy, mud-caked rags soaked it up.
Finally, the bottle emptied.
-Clink
"...Ah."
A short gasp, and then...
-Whoosh!!!
The Leader's form vanished once more.
No escape.
The surrounding air pressed heavily on the assassin.
He couldn't flee.
Even turning his head to run, the trees, weeds, and blooming peach blossoms stole his gaze.
The very forest around them was his ally.
"Damn it...!!! You beggar bastard!!!"
The assassin ground his teeth.
Tears and snot streamed down his face.
He couldn't comprehend it from the start.
His identity shouldn't have been exposed.
The Beggars' Sect couldn't have found out.
He had to escape somehow.
Pouring energy into his legs for lightness skill to flee—at that moment.
-Slash!!!
-Crack!!!
"Gurk!?"
"......"
The Leader appeared behind him with murderous eyes and shattered both legs with a kick.
"You're weak."
"A...aaahk!!!"
"Hey, Evil Faction scum."
"L-Let go!! You filthy beggar...!!!"
Tsk. The Majestic Wind Horn clicked his tongue and gently gripped the assassin's throat.
"...You're from the Evil Alliance, aren't you?"
"...!?"
In that instant, the Leader's eyes sharpened with clarity no drunkard should possess.
"...Kill him."
And from then on, the assassin fell eerily silent.
The Wind Horn grinned and sealed the assassin's pressure points.
"Aghak...!! Y-You... beggar... bastard......"
"...The stench of a Blood Ghost is overwhelming."
The Wind Horn immediately infused natural energy into the man's dantian.
The Blood Ghost, with sealed points, writhed in agony as his dantian shattered.
"I just needed to confirm you're a Blood Ghost. Sorry about that."
Grinning, the Wind Horn tossed the crippled Blood Ghost to the ground.
He didn't know what poor junior this disguised assassin planned to turn into a Blood Ghost.
But for now, knowing the Evil Alliance's remnants were eyeing the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was enough.
"...Booze... I'm out of booze... Hey, anyone there?"
Muttering that, the Wind Horn called over some random Beggars' Sect member nearby.
Ideally with fresh booze for him.
He leisurely strolled into the peach blossoms, leaving the scene behind.
I spent a full four days in that carriage.
'China's land really is vast.'
Unnecessarily huge.
Doesn't it make traveling inconvenient?
If things were packed closer together, it wouldn't hurt anyone.
[We've arrived, Young Master. This is the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament arena, the Arena of Decisive Heroes.]
"I'm gonna smash it..."
[Y-Young Master!?]
Why does this arena look exactly like the Colosseum?
Arena of Decisive Heroes even sounds similar.
Heroes prepared to face death settle scores in the open.
Hence, Arena of Decisive Heroes...
This martial world is hopeless.
Maybe wiping them all out is the answer.
"...Fucking hell."
"H-Hiiik......"
As I glared at the building in frustration, Ji-yeon beside me yelped and clutched her head.
I hadn't even smacked her, so why?
Anyway, I decided to calm down.
"...Fine, Colosseum."
[Arena of Decisive Heroes.]
[...You're confused too.]
[......]
Snow Python, burrowed in my clothes, said nothing.
Frowning, I pulled my bamboo hat lower and said to Ji-yeon,
"Let's go."
"...Y-Yes, just a moment with Brother..."
"...I said let's go."
"Hic."
Obedient Ji-yeon.
I gave her a slight smile and joined Hyun-deok and Ji-cheon.
Ji-cheon sat circulating his qi, seemingly in meditation.
'He's seriously preparing.'
From sparring with Hyun-deok, the Zhuges were the most normal ones.
Nodding warmly, I turned away to not disturb him.
Then I scanned the carriages starting to arrive around us.
My eyes sparkled, though I felt a hint of anxiety from behind.
And at that moment.
"Zhuge Young Lady."
"...?"
Someone called Ji-yeon's name from behind.
Turning around, I saw...
"Little Sword Phoenix, I hope you've been well."
Ji-yeon smiled comfortably, chatting with a girl shorter than her.
Little Sword Phoenix.
[Snow Python, that girl.]
[The Little Sword Phoenix, who later becomes the Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix, Hwa-ryeon.]
The incredible girl who headlined up to the 10th round in the novel I'd read.
I'd have rated her highly if not for that bizarre Fire Whispering Mist Dew Rain ability.
After all, at the pinnacle entry level now.
A true next Sword Empress among the juniors, talent unmatched.
"......"
And that next Sword Empress stared at me blankly, tilting her head.
Ji-yeon's giggling smile froze.
"Y-Young Lady! This is Seo the hero. Our family's benefactor."
"......"
Hwa-ryeon said nothing even after the introduction.
As I reached for my iron fan...
"Ryeon-ah, what are you doing in a place like this?"
A sharp woman's voice rang out. She apologized to us and dragged Hwa-ryeon away.
"...B-Benefactor......"
Ji-yeon sneaked glances at me.
Then started babbling excuses.
"N-No, it's just the Little Sword Phoenix hasn't had friends besides me since childhood, so her social skills are... lacking. B-But she's pure-hearted and kind, please don't be angry..."
"......"
[Young Lady, maybe let it slide? No need to draw attention.]
Even Snow Python tried to dissuade me.
Pouting, I muttered,
"...Do you think I'm some thug?"
[Based on your behavior so far, yes.]
[Quiet.]
Cheeky spirit beast.
Hwa-ryeon couldn't tear her eyes from the noble Zhuge guest as the Plum Blossom Sword Empress led her away.
'...No internal energy at all.'
She truly sensed none.
Wondering how such a man became a Zhuge noble, she heard...
"Disciple."
"Yes, Master."
The Sword Empress addressed Ryeon.
"Why stare so rudely? You know that's impolite."
"...I felt no internal energy at all."
Explaining herself, Hwa-ryeon noticed the oddity.
"...Master?"
"......"
Only then did Hwa-ryeon see her master sweating coldly.
"Your level is still low; you just can't sense it. That heroine is stronger than everyone here."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
'A reclusive expert...?'
The moment a hidden master, veiled by bamboo hat over hair and face, officially stepped into the martial world.