Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: 127. Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard in a Count's Family
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Upon arriving at one of the villages near the Hughes Snow Mountains, we dismounted the carriage and could immediately see the Hughes Snow Mountains looming behind the village with the naked eye.
"Wow..."
Lucy let out a gasp of awe.
It was well deserved. The Hughes Snow Mountains were immense. Even I, who had seen countless beautiful and striking modern photos, was stunned by their splendor.
True to its name, the Hughes Snow Mountains were blanketed in pristine white snow. The peak stretched up to the clouds. There were no trees anywhere. The snow covering those mountains was all eternal ice. It resembled a peak built entirely from piled-up snow rather than earth.
"Young Master Eugene."
Sir Hent approached. He gazed at the snow mountains with a deeply serious expression.
"Unlike its breathtaking scenery, the Hughes Snow Mountains are an extremely perilous place. The monsters inhabiting it are so numerous and ferocious that even the Hutris Count family has abandoned oversight of the area. More than that, the environment itself is outright hostile to humans. Even veteran adventurers with meticulous preparations sometimes never return from the Hughes Snow Mountains."
"I know, Sir Hent."
Did he think I'd come here without researching such basic information? The Hughes Snow Mountains were depicted as dangerous in the original work as well. There was no way I was unaware of their hazards.
"What Sir Hent is worried about is me scaling the Hughes Snow Mountains, right?"
"...Yes. A stroll in the vicinity might be feasible, but actual climbing is out of the question."
"Before coming here, I made a promise to Mother. I told her I wouldn't climb the Hughes Snow Mountains. Besides, I just wanted to behold them with my own eyes."
"Phew. That's a relief. If you'd been stubborn, I truly wouldn't have known what to do."
"What would you have done if I had been stubborn?"
"I probably would have reported straight to the Countess. Hahaha."
Sir Hent subtly revealed the magic communication orb tucked in his bosom. He would've contacted Elaine through it. I gave a wry smile.
"Don't worry. I'll rest here in the village for three days. Have you secured lodging?"
"We've booked the finest inn in the village."
"The local specialty is rabbit meat from the Hughes Snow Mountains, isn't it?"
"Yes. They say the rabbits there are a whopping meter in size. The meat is supposed to be exquisite. I'll prepare rabbit dishes for dinner."
"Please do. After five days in that carriage, my body's a bit worn out. I need to rest in my room until dinner."
"Don't worry about anything else. Just rest well."
Leaving the servants to their tasks, Yuria and I headed to the inn Sir Hent had arranged. True to its top-tier status, the building evoked a noble estate in its grandeur.
'An inn built to cater to wealthy commoners or nobles.'
The Hughes Snow Mountains were renowned. Plenty of people like me must visit for travel or sightseeing. Among adventurers, there was even a saying that you had to see the Hughes Snow Mountains with your own eyes.
I claimed one of the best rooms in the inn. The interior was somewhat disappointing compared to the exterior. They must have run short on funds for furnishings.
But one thing alone pleased me. The view from the room's window was perfect. Open it, and the pristine white Hughes Snow Mountains filled the sight.
'I'll snap a commemorative shot of the Hughes Snow Mountains later... For now...'
I glanced at Yuria. She was unpacking the luggage. Sensing my gaze, she looked up and smiled.
"Yuria."
"Yes. I know what Master desires."
Yuria began hiking up her skirt.
Her panties came into view, and my eyes widened.
"What the—nothing's happened yet, and you're already soaked. Were you anticipating this?"
"It's Master's fault. My body has grown far too... accustomed to you."
"If it's my fault, can't be helped. Shall I take responsibility?"
"Hoo..."
Kyle exhaled softly. His breath froze white in an instant and drifted downward.
He was strolling near the Hughes Snow Mountains with Lucy. Crunching through the snow evoked fresh memories from his past life.
'When snow fell on Mount Hua, us disciples would clean it up together.'
Chores at Mount Hua fell to the disciples. It had seemed nothing but a hassle back then, but now it was a cherished memory.
"Young Master?"
Lucy called out. Kyle snapped back to attention.
"Just lost in thought for a sec. What's up?"
"Nothing big. But shouldn't we head back soon? If we stray too far, Sir Hent will fret."
"You're right. Let's turn back. How's the Hughes Snow Mountains treating you, Lucy?"
"It's amazing! This trip might be a lifelong brag, don't you think? Just as mysterious and beautiful as I imagined!"
"Mysterious, huh... They say the snow here never melts in a lifetime. Truly an enigmatic peak. Perhaps..."
"Yes?"
"Nah. Nothing."
Kyle mused that the eternal frost ginseng might lurk somewhere in the Hughes Snow Mountains. It was an ancient wild ginseng thriving in the harshest colds. In his previous life, he'd heard it grew where snow never thawed eternally.
'Even if eternal frost ginseng exists, how could I find it in such a vast range?'
He didn't dare venture into the Hughes Snow Mountains. The chill near its base already had him shivering. At his current realm, entry meant certain death by freeze.
Kyle gazed up at the Hughes Snow Mountains. The longer he looked, the more it recalled Mount Hua. And thoughts of Mount Hua stirred a stifled frustration.
'To revive the Huashan Sect here, I'd need at least sect leader caliber... No clue when I'll attain that height.'
The Huashan Sect had to be mighty.
Unyielding to any external force. For that, he—the core—must reach at least the Flower Realm, this world's Aura Master.
Only his strength could propel a nascent Huashan Sect forward here.
'No rush. This isn't murim. No Alliance, no Demonic Cult.'
Nobles and monsters took their place, but absent rival martial artists, the sect faced no rivals.
"Young Master! Snow! It's snowing!"
Kyle looked skyward at Lucy's excited cry.
Large flakes drifted lazily earthward, weaving a dreamlike haze with the mountain vista.
A biting gale swept in. The flakes danced in its wake.
"......!"
Kyle's eyes bulged. To him, the flakes resembled cascading plum blossom petals.
And their dance began mimicking sword forms. Petals swaying like blades swaying, spinning like blades whirling.
"...Ah."
A faint gasp slipped from Kyle's lips.
Something. Something teetered on the edge of grasp. Toward loftier heights. Something novel...
"Young Master!"
Lucy's call yanked Kyle back. His soaring mind settled.
'A bit longer, and enlightenment might've dawned...'
He couldn't fault Lucy. The insight had struck abruptly, and she wasn't a martial artist—clueless to such matters.
'That enlightenment remains beyond my grasp for now.'
Kyle offered a wry smile.
"Lucy. What is it?"
"Look. There's Yuria."
"Yuria?"
Kyle peered where Lucy pointed.
It was their group's lavish inn—a five-story noble-like edifice. Yuria stood at a fifth-floor window, clutching the sill, eyes fixed on the snow-dusted Hughes Snow Mountains.
Her cheeks glowed red; white puffs escaped her lips. Kyle chalked it to the cold. The mountains' influence rendered the village a winter abyss.
Yuria shuddered. Her breaths quickened.
'Does Yuria have acrophobia?'
Kyle cocked his head, then followed Lucy toward the inn.
Lucy waved vigorously at Yuria.
"Yuria! Yuria!"
Yuria, entranced by the mountains, lowered her gaze. Her flushed face radiated an oddly sensual aura.
"Lucy... and Young Master Kyle. Out walking?"
Yuria's voice quivered faintly.
"Yes! Heading back now. What about you, Lady Yuria?"
"Unpacking till moments ago. Now resting, watching the Hughes Snow Mountains. Haa..."
Twitch. Yuria's body lurched sharply.
"Your face is so red. Feeling ill?"
"...Yes. Climate shift, perhaps. Ngh... Feels off."
Kyle spoke to Yuria, concern etching his face.
"Yuria. Looks like a cold to me. Rest up today. What's Eugene up to?"
"Young Master Eugene's... in bed, resting. Nngh..."
Then.
Eugene emerged behind Yuria. Bundled in a heavy coat against the chill, his face flushed like hers, he coughed.
"Cough. Cough! Called?"
"Eugene! You look awful. Bed, now—rest."
"Fine till arrival... Guess Yuria and I caught colds. Need rest today. Sorry, dinner without us."
"Apologize for what? Sick means rest."
Thud!
"Haaah!"
"Yuria?!"
Kyle jolted at Yuria's outburst—a scream laced with something erotic. He'd never imagined such a sound from her.
"Sorry, Yuria. Bumped your leg moving. Hurt bad?"
"N-no. F-fine."
"Cold out. Window shut. Careful you two—don't catch it."
The window sealed. Eugene and Yuria meant to rest deeply. Kyle and Lucy eyed it worriedly.
"Young Master Eugene and Yuria... Trip to the Hughes Snow Mountains, and now this... They'll be okay?"
"Yeah. Light cold. Best leave 'em to crash hard today."
Before dinner.
Kyle rapped his knuckles on Eugene's door.
Knock knock knock.
Swish. Rustle. Fabric shifted inside.
"Come in."
Kyle entered. Warmth enveloped him. The wall stove bathed the room in cozy heat.
He spotted Eugene, propped up on the bed, torso only. Cold or not, the blanket was thick. Yet Eugene wore just a shirt.
"Checked in pre-dinner—worried. How you holding?"
"Not bad. Should shake it by morning. Travel fatigue plus sudden chill—body didn't adjust."
"Good. Why so lightly dressed?"
"Blanket's thick. Heavy garb overheats. Light sleepwear's best for rest. Stove keeps it toasty."
"Fair. Still, cold means bundle up. Dinner plans?"
"Grab something here. Ask servants for me, bro."
"Sure. Yuria? Thought she was here?"
Kyle scanned the spacious room. Empty save Eugene.
"She's my exclusive maid, but not glued to me. Has her duties. Whereabouts? No clue. Probably next door, resting—under the weather too."
"Makes sense. But... that white stocking?"
Kyle pointed to the dangling white stocking at the bed's foot. Eugene shunned stockings, even noble tights.
"...Ah. Opened window earlier—snow soaked the stocking. Yuria stripped it for laundry but must've left it by accident."
"Yuria slipped up?"
"Cold's got her off. Brother Kyle. Eyeing the stocking? Want it?"
Kyle flustered, face tinting as he waved it off.
"Want what? Heading out. Rest up."
Kyle shut the door behind him. Sensing him gone, Eugene flung back the heavy blanket.
There knelt a nude maid, Eugene's manhood in her mouth.
"Close call—thought we were busted."
Eugene snickered.