Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Sweet Words, Hidden Sword (1)
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In the martial world, there existed something called the Hundred Great Masters.
Some dismissed it as a shiny but empty title, yet it was no exaggeration to say it served as both an honor for the young sprouts rising in the jianghu and encouragement from the seniors who had walked the path before them.
Any martial artist with ambition dreamed of reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, the Absolute Realm. But if everyone who harbored such dreams could achieve it, how could it truly be called the end of the path?
In the jianghu, it was commonplace—common enough to trip over—for those once hailed as geniuses to have their spirits broken by endless stagnation. And among them, not a few veered onto the wrong path.
Thus, the seniors who had trod that road first made a promise to encourage their juniors: the title of Hundred Great Masters, meant to nurture those young sprouts.
The hundred most promising young martial artists likely to reach the Absolute Realm. It wasn't decided by gathering them for a tournament, but each one bore a reputation that couldn't be ignored.
Just being pegged as the most likely to attain the Absolute Realm showed how much expectation the jianghu's masters placed on these young warriors.
Yet in the current martial world, the meaning had become distorted. Some grew complacent, content with a spot among the Hundred Great Masters without pushing further. In truth, that wasn't much of a problem.
Those who stagnate get pushed aside by those who advance.
That was the natural order—and the driving force of progress.
But the real issue was...
They knew it all too well.
After that incident, Seonmu Academy formally apologized to Sua and Yeon-i. They even said they'd disciplined the cadets who had attacked my disciples first.
The one most shocked by this completely unexpected outcome was Namgung Yeon herself. As a scion of the Namgung family—the pillar of the Orthodox Murim Alliance and its leader—she might not know every detail, but...
She was well aware that formal apologies from the higher-ups in the orthodox faction were rare enough to count on one hand. Especially to outsiders who weren't even part of the Murim Alliance.
"What in the world happened?!"
"Just a light chat."
"I... I see?"
Of course, Yeon-i didn't buy my words for a second. But I couldn't very well say four people had died, so I just chuckled it off.
Still, the important part was that the instructors at Seonmu Academy had officially recognized Sua's achievements in front of everyone. A martial artist who had reached a certain realm could gauge others' levels.
"To show such talent at just sixteen...!!"
"She's undoubtedly a prime candidate for the Hundred Great Masters."
"Hundred Great Masters...?"
I knew all about the Hundred Great Masters, of course. But their depiction varied wildly across stories—sometimes untouchable elites beyond ordinary martial artists, other times mere stepping stones to highlight the protagonist's strength. From that angle, it seemed like they were the latter here.
Can't even use Sword Qi yet, and they're calling her a Hundred Great Master? Or maybe it's the usual wuxia hype.
Either way, I didn't think it was good for Sua. One should always stay humble and keep honing themselves. Too much praise like that could breed arrogance.
"I have no intention of settling for this, Master."
"I like seeing you keep yourself in check."
"But, Junior Sister Sua! Getting into the Hundred Great Masters at your age is no small feat!"
"Compared to the path Master has walked, this is nothing but a drop in the ocean."
Fortunately, Sua had matured enough to restrain herself without my input. Her experiences back in the Moyong Clan must have served as a foundation.
"I don't know the details, but it means Junior Sister did well, right?"
"Of course. You've brought honor to me and yourselves."
"Forget the Hundred Great Masters. There's something more important."
"You mean the talks between the Moyong Clan and the Orthodox Murim Alliance?"
"Exactly. We can't just let that slide."
Word was, the Moyong Clan—which had cut off exchanges with the Orthodox Murim Alliance under the pretext of history and tradition—was reopening ties. It was a phrase that had cropped up often before.
"The problem is, Seonmu Academy wants us to attend in person and grace the occasion."
"Well, technically, Junior Sister Sua is a Moyong Clan martial artist."
"My body and soul are entirely devoted to you, Master."
"Gasp!!"
Gasp my ass.
Sua's outrageous declaration shaved a few years off my lifespan today. As I moved to clarify it was a joke, Seolhwa's eyes sparkled and she shot her hand up.
"Me too! Include me too!!"
"Naturally."
"M-Master, you had a secret you couldn't tell others, didn't you?"
"That's not it."
In the end, it took a good chunk of time to dispel Namgung Yeon's misunderstanding. Afterward, I gave Sua and Seolhwa a stern talking-to, warning them never to say things that could be misconstrued.
"I understand."
"Master's embarrassed about it."
"That's not it. I'll explain properly later."
"I hope so. Anyway... what do you plan to do?"
Normally, I'd brush it off as a hassle, but this involved the Moyong Clan. After that incident, our relationship had evolved from mere allies to near-comrades.
"I'm a bit worried about Brother, but... I'll follow your lead, Master."
"How could I refuse when you put it that way?"
"Then...?"
"Let's all go on a little outing after so long."
"Yay!!"
"Seeing an Alliance-hosted summit as a mere outing... As expected of Master."
Namgung Yeon seemed to be falling into another weird delusion, but...
I was too lazy to correct her.
The Hundred Great Masters.
The weight and credibility of that name were beyond imagination. Even common folk had heard of it. For martial artists, it carried even more weight.
Any warrior who made even the bottom rung of the list could consider themselves set for life. Whether at an escort agency or sect, they'd be treated well.
Ma Gang, known by the moniker Black Tiger Great Sword and one of the lowest on that list, was no exception—he'd milked the title for all it was worth.
"...Ugh! The liquor tastes bitter today."
Downing his cup roughly at the inn, Ma Gang let out a sigh. Despite his massive build and fierce face, he harbored surprisingly deep worries.
This damn jianghu was overflowing with talent, it seemed.
New prodigies and geniuses sprang up daily, threatening his spot. That young female expert from Henan was a prime example. She didn't have a moniker yet, but...
Reaching first-rate at just sixteen? A nickname wouldn't be far off.
And with other geniuses rising too, a bottom-feeder like Black Tiger Great Sword Ma Gang had no choice but to get squeezed out.
Truth be told, Ma Gang had once been a promising talent himself. His natural bulk and monstrous strength suited martial arts perfectly. Few could stand against him.
But time changed things. As geniuses and prodigies advanced one by one, Ma Gang inexplicably stagnated.
He hadn't slacked off, either. He'd trained diligently, even humbly seeking masters—though all in vain.
"Time is cruel. I was content just holding this spot, but soon even that last bit will be taken from me."
"How can the renowned orthodox Hundred Great Master Black Tiger Great Sword lament like this?"
"...And who the hell are you?"
A woman with striking poppy-red hair tied back and clad in silken robes had appeared across from him unnoticed. Naturally, Ma Gang was on guard.
Even drunk, he was a first-rate expert with a Hundred Great Masters title, however minor. Yet he hadn't sensed her approach?
"At least first-rate like me. No, Absolute Realm? But I'd recognize any Absolute Realm master..."
"Who I am doesn't matter. You do."
"What do you mean?"
The red-haired woman curved her lips into a smile. It was so captivating that even Ma Gang, who ignored women, felt his heart skip.
"Don't you want to climb higher?"