Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint in the Count's Family
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I ran into Kyle Prukus, the protagonist of the original work White Return, in the mansion corridor.
He had black hair, black eyes, and a refined face like a noble young master. Just as described in the original.
Kyle was three years older than me.
'He looks like an idol.'
With a face like that, no wonder women flock to him.
'But what's the point? The guy's impotent.'
He drew closer. I plastered a smile on my lips.
A fake smile. I didn't care. The basics of acting are shamelessness and confidence. I wasn't trying to become a movie star—just fool him enough to get by.
'In that sense, Kyle's perfect. He's such a pushover, easy to trick.'
I smiled, and Kyle smiled back. I might not envy anything else, but that face mask of his? Yeah, I'm jealous.
"Yu-jin! Long time no see. You look much healthier—glad to see it."
"You look in good shape too, Kyle hyung."
Kyle's previous life was as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint of the Volcanic Sect. The official successor to the sect leader, no less. He knew every martial art of the Volcanic Sect.
Above all, he possessed the supreme art called Violet Haze Divine Art.
'Trained in it from birth, huh? No wonder he's always in top form.'
I didn't covet the Violet Haze Divine Art. According to the original info, it was martial arts made for geniuses. Besides, I'd learn Eternal Heaven Qi Art in the future.
"You still wearing that?"
I pointed to his collar. A golden brooch shaped like a plum blossom was pinned there.
"It's a gift from you. And I really like plum blossoms."
Yeah, in the original, he was obsessed with them.
"Glad you like it. I specially commissioned it, so don't lose it."
"Got it. I'll be careful."
If he lost it, that'd be a problem.
That brooch had a locator transmitter from the Code: XTK world attached. As long as Kyle wasn't too far away, I could track his position perfectly.
I chatted idly with Kyle. Nothing special—my health, happenings in the city.
To use Kyle, I needed to build some goodwill first.
"Kyle hyung, weren't you headed somewhere?"
"Oh, right. On my way to the private training room."
Of course, that training room had cameras too. I'd watched every bit of his training—what he practiced, how he honed his Plum Blossom Sword Technique—without missing a thing.
I'd tried analyzing his Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but it was gibberish, so I gave up.
"Why do you train so hard, Kyle hyung?"
"Doesn't everyone train like this?"
"Even so, not everyone spends over eight hours a day just training."
Maybe because he'd trained since birth? His current level was advanced Aura User. He'd hit peak soon, and by the original's start, he'd be an Aura Expert.
"Haha. Mom's scolded me for it. But I can't help it—I love training."
"...Are you aiming to be a general or knight commander?"
"That wouldn't be bad. But I have a different dream."
"What's your dream?"
"To establish the Volcanic Sect in this world."
"Volcanic Sect?"
Kyle gave a cryptic smile at my question.
"It exists. Might be impossible, but I have to try."
Kyle's dream comes true. Aura Master. In murim terms, the Flower Realm. He reaches it and founds the sect.
An Aura Master gets at least a barony guaranteed, baron or higher with merits. More importantly, they'd dominate politics for a while.
"Yu-jin. What's your dream?"
"I..."
Can't say, "Screwing every woman."
I drew a wistful smile instead.
"I want to travel the world."
And fuck women everywhere.
"Yeah. Your health's improving, so you can make it happen."
"Hope you achieve yours too, Kyle hyung."
"Thanks."
A heartwarming brotherly exchange.
I was getting bored. This nutrient-void talk—what was it?
"Hyung, gotta go. The head maid will chew me out for being late to lessons again."
The head maid handled my education. Second only to the head butler in the mansion, and since she was Mom Elaine's former wet nurse, even I had to watch myself around her.
As I tried to pass Kyle, he grabbed my right shoulder.
"I was worried when I heard about that incident... but you're still apologizing to Lord Embis and his daughter? That's a relief."
"...It was a mistake."
"Everyone makes mistakes. The key is not repeating them."
"..."
"See you."
"..."
Kyle passed me. I waited until he vanished down the corridor, then brushed my right shoulder with my palm.
"Who're you preaching to, you gullible punk?"
Three months had passed since I came to this world.
Of course, I'd used auto-progress here and there. My avatar handled things fine since I was acting normally.
Through Hasent, I'd steadily used the information guild. Their strength? They provided info the Prukus Count family wouldn't bother collecting.
'Their intel network outstrips the Prukus family by miles.'
For domestic info, no need for the guild—the Prukus family cared enough. Ask Elaine or the head butler, and I'd get it.
'But Prukus intel mostly sticks to nobles. Weak on foreign affairs too.'
I needed info beyond Rapel Kingdom—foreign too.
'War's coming. The timeline's too tight not to.'
The continent was at peace now.
'Sure, skirmishes everywhere... but those are petty lord-level fights.'
Kingdoms had similar power. Ambitions would flare, clashing.
'Smart ones are prepping for war already.'
War was certain. It happened in the original!
'No plans to stop it.'
Impossible anyway, and no reason to.
'Key is profiting from it.'
I cackled, checking reports. My biggest worry? Deviating from the future. I didn't want my actions to derail it—or if they did, counter fast.
'My plans rely on original knowledge and future info.'
Good news: timeline intact.
Undead horde stirring south? As expected. No issue.
'Located Artel Village. Pfrec Mercenary Corps... should hit our territory soon. Time to prep.'
I'd paid the guild extra to tail the Pfrec Mercs. Their position on demand.
Done with reports, I stood.
"Today... maybe sell some wet wipes."
I left Elaine's office.
Got an earful. Time for a personal servant—a valet.
I wanted one too. Beats not having. Problem? No one I liked.
Butler? Competent, but male. Same gender? Disqualified.
Maid? Pretty ones preferred. But my status? No regular maids assigned. Plus, the Lexi incident made them wary.
'All the good maids are busy.'
Elaine's maids were top picks... but can't poach from Mom.
Next: Kyle's maid. Fitting for the protagonist—stunning.
'...Damn. No talent in this count's house.'
Chore maids? Incompetent. Personal needs competence for my comfort.
'Better scout outside myself.'
In the mansion, I'm the genius inventor. Everyone, Elaine included, knew my inventions' worth.
Claim she aids inventions, hire a personal maid. Not bad.
'Yeah. I'll find my own maid! Heh heh heh.'
Beautiful, and good for night duties.
"Young Master Yu-jin."
Heading to my room, bumped into Hasent.
"Head butler?"
I eyed him puzzled. Hasent was overly taciturn. He wouldn't approach unless urgent.
"Word from the information guild. Pfrec Mercs moving fast on Artel Village."
"...They still days from our territory, right? Last position meant at least three days."
"The agent tailing Pfrec betrayed the guild."
"...So my Pfrec position was wrong?"
"Yes."
"Son of a bitch!"
I cursed and bolted.
Plan: Ambush Pfrec at Artel the moment they hit territory.
One bad intel, and it crumbled.
"Young Master Yu-jin?"
"Hasent! I'm heading to Artel with the Plun Knights! Tell Mom for me!"
"Young Master, calm down and ask Madam for aid first. Pfrec are mediocre, no need for you to go personally."
"No! I have to!"
"...My fault too. I'll accompany you."
Hasent's face was firm. He'd follow regardless. I didn't stop him—backup's welcome.
I dashed to Plun Knights' training ground. Ignored the squire guard, straight in. Knights training everywhere. Hent right in the middle.
"Sir Hent! Help me!"
"Young Master Yu-jin? What's this sudden?"
"Evil bandits targeting the village! Need Plun Knights!"
Hent scratched his head, troubled.
"Young Master, we can't deploy without Countess Elaine's permission. Get her approval first—we'll gladly go."
Elaine'd approve in five minutes. She's kind despite looks. But then she'd sideline me for danger.
"I'll take responsibility!"
She'd ground me after. Fine by me.
"Ten men. Just ten! Can't you help?!"
I appealed to the knights. They were superhumans—Aura User mid-tier minimum.
"..."
No takers. They knew I wasn't rational.
'Damn. Can't handle bandits solo. Need knights for speed... they'd help if bribed!'
Frustrated, but their position differed from mine.
"Help me, and one ramen box per man!"
"...!"
Knight eyes bulged.
Ramen.
My rare treat. Huge hit with Plun Knights. They begged for sales sometimes.
"...How many per box?"
Hent was hooked too. Chicken? Fry a chicken. Ramen? Only I had it.
"Forty per box!"
"...!"
Knight eyes widened.
Forty ramens. One daily for forty days.
"Captain! As knights, we can't ignore evil! I'll uphold justice with Young Master Yu-jin!"
"Me too!"
"Bandit slaying's my specialty!"
"Captain! For justice! Approve!"
"Captain! Approve!"
Chaos.
Hent scowled at me. I flashed three fingers. Three boxes. Quick Hent got it.
"...You're responsible, Young Master."
"Of course."
Hent bellowed at knights.
"Squires, prep warhorses now! Knights with Young Master: me included, twenty! Exactly twenty!"
Knight surged forward.
"I'll go!"
"Captain! Eight years together!"
"Juniors, step back?"
Seniority decided it.