Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Needle in the Satchel (2)
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Nameless wasn't the type to be easily swayed by others, but he had no choice except to agree that they needed to relocate their base. After all, they had stirred up far too much trouble thus far.
Starting from the Moyong Clan all the way to the Black Epidemic Sect's Black Death Squad. In blunt terms, they had provoked both the orthodox and unorthodox factions. And that was without even knowing who in the Demonic Cult had infiltrated their midst!
In contrast, the enemy likely had a solid grasp on Nameless's location by now. In other words, it meant they could be ambushed at any moment in the dead of night by Demonic Cult elites.
'I don't like running away from enemies like a coward... but pride won't put food on the table.'
Besides, Nameless wasn't alone anymore. And so, with no other choice, he followed Muwol's advice and shifted their base to the area near the Righteous Martial Academy in Henan.
'Even the Moyong Clan Patriarch was at least at the Transcendent Realm. There's no way I, who's barely at the Peak Realm, can handle Demonic Cult elites.'
That was the decisive reason Nameless had set out on this journey with the kids. He hadn't expected to make his debut in the martial world in such a manner, but Peak Realm wasn't a bad starting point.
The original plan had been to enroll Sua and Seolhwa as students at the Righteous Martial Academy. But the kids' fierce opposition forced them to scrap it. Sua in particular had objected strongly.
"There's nothing to learn from the hypocrites of the orthodox faction, Master."
"Aren't you part of the orthodox faction yourself?"
"I follow only the path you tread, Master. Affiliations mean nothing to me."
"I like Master too! I don't want anywhere else!"
Their resolve to follow their master was admirable and unyielding, leaving even Nameless unable to dissuade them. But naturally, there were good reasons behind it.
'I want to learn only from Master. I have no time to waste elsewhere.'
'Master is the best. I don't need anyone else!'
Sua had received the Moyong Clan's education—one of the Five Great Clans—since childhood. Though the process hadn't been normal, she had at least experienced the essence of the Moyong Clan firsthand.
In her comparison, the teachings most helpful to her current self were Master's. She had heard about the Righteous Martial Academy long ago, but even accounting for that, she didn't think it surpassed Master's guidance.
Moreover, Sua took pride in being Nameless's first disciple and grand apprentice. Even if her master's appearance was shabby.
His skills had reached the pinnacle as a martial artist, which was undeniable. Like it or not, many would end up following him.
'At the very least, I don't want to lose this small pride of being the first to follow Master.'
Still, since they had come this far, they decided to scout the area around the academy while settling their meals. However, the academy's defenses were exceedingly tight from the outset.
They weren't even trying to enter the academy itself—just the castle where it stood—and already they demanded proof of identity. It left them a bit flustered.
Fortunately, the recommendation letter from Muwol helped them avoid a sticky situation. Though it was odd how the guard at the gate turned pale as a ghost during the process.
Nameless didn't dwell on it and just moved past. By the time they arrived in Henan with the help of the Gold Radiance Escort Bureau, the sun had fully set.
"Then this humble one shall take his leave! If you need any assistance, please visit the Gold Radiance Escort Bureau anytime!"
"You've worked hard. Let's meet again if fate allows."
"It would be an honor, Great Hero!"
After seeing off the Gold Radiance Escort Bureau's escort head, Nameless led his disciples into Henan. Henan had flourished ever since the Righteous Martial Academy was established under the Murim Alliance's protection.
True to its reputation as the heart of the Central Plains, the castle was enormous. Thanks to that, Nameless had no choice but to wander from inn to inn in search of lodging before even thinking about sightseeing.
But contrary to expectations, finding a place to stay wasn't easy. There were plenty of inns, yet the moment they stepped in, the owners would refuse with troubled expressions.
"I'm sorry, we're full..."
"All rooms are taken. My apologies."
"W-Would you mind trying another inn?"
"......"
He could accept it the first time, but after three rejections in a row, even he realized something was off. He just couldn't pinpoint the reason.
"It doesn't seem to be because of our clothes. Did word get around from others?"
"No, Master. You've done nothing wrong!"
"Yeah, Master is perfect as he is!"
"Expecting good treatment from those who judge by appearances alone is absurd to begin with, Master."
"I'm grateful for your loyalty to your master, but this time it seems like something else."
If it were truly about their clothes or appearance, he would have shown them accordingly. Yet none of the inns they had visited so far had outright turned them away rudely.
On the contrary, they tried to politely direct them elsewhere. And at the last one, they even seemed afraid. Could there be some backstory?
"Oh my... It's getting so late, and you still have nowhere to lay your head."
"......?"
At the refined voice of a woman, Nameless reflexively turned his head. There stood a beauty adorned in splendid attire, her hair pinned up in a bun, her face powdered white.
"Henan's hospitality toward travelers isn't stingy, but lately, with all the ominous rumors, people are on edge. I beg the Great Hero to understand with magnanimity."
"I'm not petty enough to hold such trifles against them. But you, appearing out of nowhere like a timely miracle when I need it most—that's what piques my interest."
"How could a mere girl like me plot anything nefarious against the Great Hero? I'm just a lowly courtesan who wishes to serve you personally."
Ah, what the hell. She's seriously hot.
Though goodwill radiated openly from her, he couldn't shake off his wariness for some reason. And Sua and Seolhwa felt the same, stepping forward to block her path.
"It seems the cute little disciples are wary of me."
"And do we have reason not to be?"
"Yeah, pretty ladies are off-limits."
"......Seolhwa. Leave the apprentice role to me here."
Sua stifled a sigh at Seolhwa's blunt slip of the tongue and pulled her back. The woman smiled and replied.
"Since I haven't introduced myself yet, your caution is understandable. Might I presume to greet the Great Hero and young ladies?"
"Do as you wish."
As Nameless reluctantly permitted amid the overly formal preamble that was starting to give him a headache, the woman bowed gracefully with a smile. She was like a flower in bloom.
"I am Yang Miyeon, the madam managing the Blue Jade House, unworthy as I am."
Henan was a prime Central Plains hub under the Murim Alliance's protection, boasting not only the Righteous Martial Academy but also countless merchant guilds and street stalls. Of course, the academy was at its heart.
That said, pleasure houses weren't entirely absent. Though more strictly regulated than elsewhere, they existed—and the Blue Jade House stood as Henan's pinnacle.
Its owner, Yang Miyeon, had a knack for swelling her coffers and influence through the vast information flowing in and out of the castle. Despite being just shy of twenty.
She had risen to become the new madam of the Blue Jade House. So it was only natural that word of the 'special' incident at the gates reached her ears.
"An old man with a recommendation letter stamped by Union Leader Muwol of the Evil Path Union?"
"Yes, but his bearing was extraordinary... He seemed at least beyond First-rate, easily."
"Not even Second-rate, but First-rate realm? No need to doubt your words."
It was certainly unusual. The Evil Path Union's Leader Muwol hadn't recommended anyone in decades. But a thought flashed through her mind.
"Did you happen to ask his courtesy name?"
"That's precisely why we checked the letter. He called himself 'Nameless,' which seemed suspicious, so we demanded proof of identity..."
'Nameless... Isn't that the legendary Sword Demon of the unorthodox world?!'
Though he had vanished before she was born, Yang Miyeon couldn't possibly be unaware of the name that lingered even now, spoken of from unorthodox circles to the orthodox factions—a supreme expert.
'Of course, the odds it's the real Sword Demon are slim. The prevailing view is he died thirty years ago for some reason. But this is the first recommendation ever from Union Leader Muwol...?'
Judging that ample justification to investigate personally, Madam Yang Miyeon set out with escorts to find Nameless. The moment she met him, she was convinced.
Unkempt beard and white hair with no grooming, a scar slashing across his face, deep wrinkles. Outwardly, just a shabby old man.
But merely standing there, he exuded a pressure like a towering mountain weighing on her shoulders. Without a doubt, such presence was reserved for the Murim Alliance Leader.
'It has to be the Sword Demon, said to have died thirty years ago!'
Presence rivaling the Alliance Leader, appearance suggesting well over sixty. Given the circumstances, even Yang Miyeon, who ruled Henan, couldn't help but be mistaken.