Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Arrival of the Reclusive Expert (3)
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Zhuge Hyun-deok's expression was far from normal.
Well, it wasn't like I was just going to whisk his daughter away.
'If our paths align, let's travel together.'
I had only just arrived here and had no clue about the roads.
I'd picked up some knowledge about regions in China from reading wuxia novels.
I knew the general lay of the land, but not the actual routes.
Glancing at the Family Head, I hoped he'd play tour guide.
But even in front of a guest, he fanned himself, desperately trying to mask his grim look.
"Snow Python, what did I do so wrong to deserve this?"
"If some guy stepped on your daughter's head, belly—even her lower belly—and then said he wanted to travel alone with her, you'd react the same way, Young Lady."
I figured I should get some sympathy here.
"No."
I shot some killing intent at the Snow Python.
Only then did it finally offer some empathy.
-Gulp-
Worried the Family Head might pick up on the killing intent, I sipped my tea to steady myself.
"...Kehk."
'Why is the tea so bitter...?'
The insanely bitter brew made me grimace despite myself.
Ha-yeon grimaced.
Meeting her gaze, Hyun-deok broke out in cold sweat.
'...Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.'
Of course he'd attend. There was no reason not to.
His son, Zhuge Ji-cheon, had already cemented his place as the young master.
And his daughter, Zhuge Ji-yeon, had been born with talent surpassing even her brother's.
Proof? Her eyes gleamed blue—a mark of the Insight Eyes, despite not being from the Blue-Eyed Clan.
But there was a snag.
They were already stretched thin preparing for the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, yet some geezer from who-knows-where had barged in and trashed the place.
Now he was throwing a tantrum, demanding a ride to the tournament.
He'd already pocketed the jade plaque—what more did the old monster want?
'...Taking this freak along will draw eyes from the Nine Great Sects and the other families for sure.'
Normally, no big deal.
If it were just the usual run-of-the-mill juniors, maybe.
But this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was drawing top-tier young talents in droves.
'...Like Mount Hua Sect's direct disciple.'
Mount Hua's direct disciple stood out especially.
Rumors swirled that she was the successor to the Plum Blossom Sword Empress herself, already earning respect as the Little Sword Phoenix.
Word was she'd be Mount Hua's next Sect Leader, fueling even more buzz.
With prodigies like that showing up...
Wouldn't every hidden master across the Central Plains flock there?
Of course they would.
Everyone would want a look at the next big things, maybe even chat them up.
The Beggars' Sect elders would show up in force too, recruiting openly for their famously inclusive sect.
And while at it, spread their signature rumors.
If that happened...
Rumors could spread that the Zhuge Family was tangled up with the Blood Ghost.
And then...
'...The Martial Alliance would come down hard on us.'
He couldn't pave a bed of thorns for his kids' futures.
"...H-Hero."
Calling her "Hero," she took another sip of tea, grimaced harder, set the cup down, and spoke curtly.
"Young Lady."
"...Young Lady."
Only then did Ha-yeon nod with a satisfied smile, as if giving permission to speak.
Hyun-deok sighed inwardly and opened his mouth.
"I'll prepare a bamboo hat to cover your face and hair. Would you please wear it?"
She tilted her head, then peered at her reflection in the pond.
"Haa..."
She let out a deep sigh, her inner energy leaking out naturally—truly terrifying.
The air around her flowed into her body and emerged infused with qi.
It was like beholding someone one with nature itself.
The mystical aura was overwhelming.
A monster—or an immortal, a celestial—who performed Qi Circulation with every breath.
He dreaded what would come after that sigh.
If she said something like, "I'll fix the Zhuge Family's discipline" again, it was all over.
Peerless experts were beyond mortal comprehension, after all.
Were they even aware their whims could reshape the world? Hyun-deok wondered, but held his tongue.
Then, after a moment of seeming melancholy, Ha-yeon spoke.
"...How could I refuse such kindness from a hero? If you provide it, I'll accept gratefully."
Her bright smile brought a positive reply.
She'd probably sighed at her own reflection—objective proof she looked every bit the Blood Ghost.
Hyun-deok cheered inwardly but merely nodded, keeping it off his face.
He praised himself for choosing the best approach before a peerless master.
Red hair and eyes were the issue? Bamboo hat would cover them.
Eyes with a cloth mask.
'...Ji-cheon, Ji-yeon, this worthless father can only do so much.'
As he thought that, on the verge of tears...
"Ah, but the young master doesn't need to tag along, right?"
"......"
"I mean, I politely introduced myself as righteous faction, but that rude behavior..."
"My apologies."
His head drooped before any tears could.
He couldn't very well gripe about faction pride.
Better this than watching his beloved family and retainers slaughtered before a stronger old monster.
"Forgive us, but our young master must attend the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament too... We'll split the one carriage into two."
"Is that alright? Seems like it would cost quite a bit..."
"How could we neglect someone on a righteous path?"
Hyun-deok had no shortage of pride—or coin.
Ji-cheon and Ji-yeon bickered whenever left alone anyway, so separate carriages seemed wise.
As he rationalized it that way...
"Ah, and could this lady join the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament too? As you can see, I'm not even twenty yet..."
"...Pardon?"
The old monster spouted nonsense.
Hyun-deok's face soured unconsciously.
Ha-yeon saw it and thought:
"Yeah, that's definitely the 'You wanna crash the kids' party?' face."
"You're basically a kid too—just sneak in."
"Eh, why not."
She brushed it off casually.
By her physical age, she was under twenty.
Mentally, still early twenties—so theoretically, no issue entering.
Of course, assuming she was serious, Hyun-deok tried desperately to dissuade her.
"Ugh..."
Ji-yeon felt hot qi surging through her lower belly and temples, letting out a faint groan.
'Everything hurts...'
Her whole body throbbed madly.
Her dantian rang wildly, stomach churning.
If she didn't regulate it fast, qi deviation loomed—a horrific agony.
Ji-yeon groaned and opened her eyes.
'...Familiar ceiling.'
The apothecary back home.
As she tried to sit up slowly...
"You mustn't rise yet, miss."
"Ah..."
An old man's voice came from beside her.
The family physician who'd treated her since childhood.
Seeing him, Ji-yeon relaxed and lay back down with a groan.
"Time for acupuncture."
"...It hurts, Grandpa..."
"That's normal."
"Ugh."
She resented the doctor's casual "normal."
Usually poised and intellectual, she turned into a spoiled child before him.
No intention of stopping.
He was kind, and with few days left, no need to be cold.
"...Grandpa."
"Yes, miss?"
"Wh-what happened...? Did Father win...? Or Brother?"
Ji-yeon kept firing questions.
The physician popped a candy in her whining mouth.
"Nom."
"Best to ask them yourself, miss."
"Ah..."
Father was here.
That meant they'd won unscathed.
Recalling the sensation of being carried, a bittersweet pang hit her.
Father's back, once so vast, now felt terribly narrow.
As she moved to rise and give thanks...
"No need to get up."
"...?"
A familiar yet chilling voice echoed from the side.
"...!!!"
"Awake?"
The girl smiled, pulling a snake from her sleeve and stroking it slowly.
A face Ha-yeon knew well—no, one Ji-yeon recognized.
'Blood Ghost...!!! Ah, what happened to Father and Brother...!?'
The Blood Ghost who'd dropped her in one strike.
"Evil sc—"
Ji-yeon couldn't finish.
Before she could, Ha-yeon fished out a jade plaque from her bosom.
Zhuge on the front, Noble on the back.
"Eh...?"
"Watch your tongue."
Ha-yeon sneered.
Her face shadowed, she warned:
Ji-yeon hiccuped, eyes welling with tears.
'Blood Demon... Blood Demon... Daddy...'
She wanted to bawl for real.