Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Appearance of a Hidden Master (2)
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Exiting the bamboo grove, the outside world was bathed in broad daylight.
The bamboo grove itself must have been shrouded in my vast aura, turning everything black.
'...It's not killing intent.'
My own killing intent isn't nearly that overwhelming.
Thinking it might be Snow Python's energy instead, I shuddered at the breath of the woman pressed against my back.
'It tickles.'
Even if the head of the Zhuge Family was a master,
after beating him senseless, it would be shameless not to at least carry one of his kids.
Especially since I'd left three of them injured.
"You didn't have to injure three people needlessly."
[Little one, the Zhuge warriors don't even care.]
Snow Python whispered with a giggle.
I gave her a sharp flick on the forehead to quiet down, then spoke to the staggering head of the Zhuge Family.
"What sort of place is the Zhuge Family?"
I'd spoken casually earlier when he treated me like some evil faction scum,
but to prove I was from the orthodox sects, I needed to observe proper etiquette.
"It is one of the Five Great Families, renowned for its mastery of formations and sorcery."
He flinched at my words, then answered respectfully.
'...He's not even in his twenties yet.'
It felt strange receiving formal address from a man who looked well over forty,
but in his mind, I must appear as some deranged old monster in the prime of half-centenarian vigor.
From the perspective of my internal energy cultivation, it wasn't wrong.
But considering my mental state, it was completely off-base.
After all, I hadn't even grasped the "enlightenment" part of enlightenment yet.
"Wouldn't it be better to drop the excessive honorifics, great hero...? It makes even this lady a bit uncomfortable."
"W-Would that be preferable?"
His pupils trembled as he called me "great hero."
I let out a sigh and replied.
"Yes."
The head of the Zhuge Family nodded.
His condition wasn't good at the moment.
I'd hastily sealed his acupoints and helped him circulate his qi with Qi Circulation Breakfast to stabilize his energy,
but...
"...Once we're back, I'll need to do Qi Circulation Lunch."
"......"
His head must be pounding.
I seriously considered hitting him once more to see if he'd pass out for good.
In any case, we walked on in silence for quite some time.
At some point, we arrived in a misty area.
And there, I could sense it.
'That's the family grounds up ahead.'
The home of the Zhuge Family lay just before us.
A profound, mystical energy emanated from the place.
I could feel presences approaching, only to blur and fade away—likely some sorcery to ward off intruders.
'Amazing.'
About fifteen minutes later,
a grand traditional Chinese manor came into view.
"That is the Zhuge Family."
"Ooooh... It's truly magnificent......"
With excitement bubbling in my heart, I quickened my steps a little.
Upon arriving at the Zhuge Family compound, I saw people rushing about in a frenzy.
"Someone come here! Take the young heir and Ji-yeon to the infirmary at once."
"Yes, Family Head."
Warriors hurried over, taking the young heir and his daughter from the Family Head before vanishing.
"...These are people moving urgently to aid the rescued warriors."
"How did they know we were trapped in the bamboo grove...?"
When I asked, he cleared his throat awkwardly and explained, leveraging his family's expertise in formations and sorcery.
One unit could send a signal detectable only by the Zhuge Family right before another fell.
"It's a sorcery called Heavenly Thought Wave Identification."
The Family Head spoke with evident pride.
I murmured softly under my breath.
"...Telepathy."
"Hm? What was that just now?"
"Oh, nothing at all."
As he tilted his head curiously at me, I flashed a bright smile, insisted it was nothing, and wiped my cheek with the handkerchief handed over by a Zhuge retainer.
[So soft and squishy—looks delightful.]
[Snow Python, you sound all mature, so quit teasing.]
[No way! Cute is always good, little one!]
[......]
I transmitted mentally for her to shut up, but Snow Python just giggled and kept praising how cute I was.
She truly was an irritating spirit beast.
"First, allow me to guide you to the reception hall. We can discuss the details there..."
"Ah, please do."
I nodded and headed to the Family Head's quarters with him.
The main compound was vast enough for plenty of conversation along the way,
but...
"Great hero, we haven't exchanged proper introductions yet."
"Ah... right. This seat... no, I am Hyun-deok."
Hyun-deok still seemed to think of me as some old monster.
Deciding now was the time to set the record straight on my age, I smiled brightly and gave my name.
"This girl is Seo Ha-yeon. I'm not yet quite thirty, so please feel free to address me casually. It would be awkward beyond words if someone as venerable as a parent figure used such extreme honorifics with me."
"......"
The Zhuge Family Head fell silent.
Ha-yeon and Hyun-deok arrived at the reception hall.
Hyun-deok's mind was in utter turmoil right now.
'...A senile old monster.'
That was the only thought that came to mind as he looked at her.
Earlier, her thick killing intent and eerie martial aura had obscured it,
but...
'Accompanied by a spirit beast no less—what else could she be but a half-centenarian immortal?'
Now, the spirit beast's energy was clearly palpable.
And it wasn't just any spirit beast.
It felt akin to an imugi's aura.
'Looks like she's no ordinary survivor after all......'
Hyun-deok broke out in cold sweat.
This level of power could easily place her among the Three Sovereigns of the world: the Heavenly Demon, Sword Sovereign, and Blood Demon.
'...Even stronger than the Sword Sovereign, leader of the Murim Alliance.'
The Sword Sovereign, head of the Nangong Family, paled in comparison to the heroine before him.
He could tell, despite her seemingly lower realm.
A realm beyond humanity.
"Just call me little one."
Even her bright smile brimmed with madness.
The surrounding nature seemed to merge with her, regaining vitality like the Long-Eared Clan.
'Heh.'
Hyun-deok let out a hollow chuckle inwardly and racked his brain swiftly.
Soon, he pulled a plaque from his bosom.
"...Great hero... er, little one."
"Yes, Family Head."
A jade plaque inscribed with the character "Zhuge."
A renowned plaque given only to esteemed guests of the Zhuge Family,
said to be held solely by the Murim Alliance Leader, head of the Nangong Family—a legendary token.
'...This isn't the right time to present it, honestly, but it's the only thing fitting.'
Honestly, it was meant as a pledge of loyalty only to the Alliance Leader,
but here, survival came first.
If it were his bold twenties or even thirties,
maybe different, but now he was a father of two.
"Please accept this."
"......"
Hyun-deok offered it with a kindly smile.
Ha-yeon, receiving it,
-Screeech
flashed a shadowy grin worthy of evil faction rabble and spoke.
"Family Head, isn't this a bit too much for me...?"
Anyone could see it was a lie.
'...This mad old monster...! What nonsense while smiling like that.'
Was she really about to demand the family itself? His body trembled.
Handing over the family here would mean...
marrying off his barely-thirty son or adopting her as a daughter-in-law.
Sending his son to an immortal of unknown age,
and even less appealing: taking in an old monster older than himself as an adopted daughter.
He didn't want other families or sects gossiping that the Zhuge had been brainwashed by a blood ghost.
"...I-I can't give you the family—"
"I'll gratefully accept... Yes?"
"Ah."
Hyun-deok's legs gave out in that instant.
At the same time, relief washed over him in a wry smile as he handed over the plaque.
'What does one plaque matter.'
It mattered a great deal.
Jade was exceedingly precious,
and yielding it meant the Zhuge Family viewed this blood demon-like old monster as equal to the Murim Alliance Leader.
'She won't show it off anywhere.'
But figuring he could just overpower anyone who caused trouble without needing to flash it, Hyun-deok smiled back.
She flipped out at being called evil faction scum,
so this mad old monster wouldn't go around claiming orthodox status anyway.
However, what Hyun-deok didn't know was...
'Now if anyone calls me evil faction scum, I can just flash this...! As expected of the Zhuge Family. So clever! They knew exactly what I wanted.'
Ha-yeon's purpose in coming to the family was to obtain proof of her status in the first place.
"To so readily offer such a precious treasure. You truly are a great hero, Family Head."
Ha-yeon covered her mouth with her fan, speaking demurely.
Relieved at not having to hand over the family, Hyun-deok nodded in agreement.
"I hope this bond endures long."
Not long after, refreshments and tea arrived in the reception hall.
"Please, help yourself."
"Speak casually..."
As I said that, Hyun-deok smiled and replied.
"How could I speak casually to one who has received even our plaque?"
"...Ah."
Fair point.
With no choice, I nodded and popped a refreshment into my mouth.
'Sweet.'
I used to hate sweet things.
Maybe because of this child's body,
'Yummy......'
It was incredibly delicious.
I wanted to stuff both hands full, puff out my cheeks, and munch away,
but orthodox sects valued decorum, so no.
"Family Head."
"Yes?"
He nodded over his tea.
Gazing at him, I asked about the upcoming event.
"...The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament."
"...!!"
The Zhuge Family Head reacted immediately.
"I'd like to stop by there once."
The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
A gathering where the younger generation from major sects and families competed, essentially bragging about their offspring.
Snow Python had said via transmission
there was no better way to gauge the current state of the murim.
It was the perfect chance to assess major sects and families, plus the altered martial arts.
I'd heard about it on the way here and agreed.
To get there,
"Doesn't the Zhuge daughter participate?"
I planned to sneak in one beauty.