Chapter 987
Chapter 987
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 987
Chapter Title: Path of Radiant Ascension
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My dick compass was unmistakably pointing at the woman on the platform.
She wore a veil over her face, but that alone wasn't enough to fool my senses. The aura she gave off, her voice, the outline of her body—putting it all together, she was 100% a knockout beauty.
'The fact that she's veiling her face pretty much confirms it.'
If she were ugly, there'd be no need to cover her face. Hiding her identity? In a world that ignores the unattractive outright, no point.
'There are female martial artists among the Manmu Tower challengers, but none are lookers. Pretty girls don't bother learning martial arts in the first place. Even if they do, they steer clear of dangerous ronin life. If money's the goal, becoming a courtesan is far more practical.'
Hwangbo Clan. Offspring of a prestigious house. Prime genes, pampered upbringing, body honed by martial arts. No way she isn't gorgeous.
'Stepping up personally... must be to pass this trial.'
This trial demanded teamwork, like it or not. Unite to defend your flag, snatch the enemy's. It tested not just individual skill but tactical prowess too.
'She plans to lead Group 55 under the Hwangbo name. Otherwise, no need to reveal herself.'
Using family prestige to seize control of Group 55 was plain as day. Sure enough, the ronin warriors shrank back at the mere mention of "Hwangbo." To wanderers, famed sects were insurmountable walls, another world to aspire to.
I shot my hand up and hurled a question at Hwangbo Gahye on the platform.
"How do we know you're really from the Hwangbo Clan?! Hiding behind a veil means nothing! If you're legit Hwangbo, drop the veil and prove it!"
All eyes turned to me. Stares like daggers. Especially from the two wide-brimmed hat guys behind her—their killing intent was blatant. Her escorts, no doubt.
"Yeah! Claiming Hwangbo without showing your face? Who'd buy that! If you're truly Hwangbo, show us!"
Seong Ji-gon bellowed beside me. That sparked it. The other warriors started eyeing Hwangbo Gahye suspiciously.
"Now that you mention it... we're inside Manmu Tower, so impersonating Hwangbo would be hard to spot."
"Veiling her face... way too shady."
"First time hearing 'Hwangbo Gahye.' She really Hwangbo?"
"You don't know Hwangbo Gahye? She's famous. Shandong's Jewel, Hwangbo Gahye. Her beauty's like a gemstone. If it's really her, showing her face proves it!"
The mood heated up. Words alone wouldn't cut it now. To win trust, she'd have to unveil.
Hwangbo Gahye didn't flinch.
"Very well. I'll remove the veil and prove I'm Hwangbo Gahye."
The black veil fell away.
Silence descended.
Men and women alike gasped at her beauty. Her skin glowed porcelain white, eyes deep black pools. Elegant brows, cherry lips. Her upswept black hair gleamed like silk. She looked mid-twenties, judging by appearances.
'A total babe, as expected. Objectively, a notch below Nangong Lin.'
Maybe unfair to compare to Nangong Lin, heroine of a novel and hailed as the world's top beauty. Hwangbo Gahye's origin novel? No clue.
'If I don't know her, probably from a game.'
Point was, my dick compass was going wild for her.
I'd fuck her for sure.
"I am Hwangbo Gahye of the Hwangbo Clan. If you still doubt... I'll prove it in combat."
"......"
Proof complete. She was Group 55's leader.
???
As leader, Hwangbo Gahye laid out basic policies. The ronin followed without complaint—solid, sensible stuff.
I bided my time, then approached her when she had a free moment.
Up close, she was bigger than expected. Height about my level, shoulders broader than most women.
'Broad shoulders usually mean big tits... ah, she's binding them under her clothes.'
Gulp. My throat bobbed. Couldn't tell exact size, but at least H-cup. I wanted to rip that seal off with my own hands right now.
'Hwangbo Clan runs big generations. Makes sense for her build.'
Hwangbo Gahye's gaze fixed on me. Wary. Partly from me stirring the crowd earlier, but she'd gauged my strength too.
"What do you want?"
"As a Nangong Clan member, I'd like to chat with Lady Hwangbo Gahye. Sorry about before. Never dreamed I'd run into Hwangbo in Manmu Tower."
"Water under the bridge, no need to apologize. You're from Nangong Clan?"
Standard wuxia tales featured the Five Great Clans or Seven Great Clans. Nangong and Hwangbo always made the cut.
"Yes. No Nangong blood in my veins, but I'm family all the same."
"...Son-in-law, then. I've heard. You're Young Hero Sung Yu-jin."
"You know me?"
"Anyone worth knowing knows you, Young Hero. Your origins, your skills. Might irk you, but... follow my lead this trial. Please."
Hwangbo Gahye bowed. Waist dipped about 30 degrees. My eyes went to her chest. Not a twitch. Showed how tightly bound it was.
'Use Heavenly Eye to peer through the seal?'
Tempting, but I held back, saving the thrill for unbinding it myself.
"Of course. I suck at leading people. Grateful you're taking charge, Lady Hwangbo."
"We... I need your strength, Young Hero Sung. With it, we clear the 9th floor for sure. So be frank—what do you want?"
You.
Saying that would've been disastrous acceleration.
"Same as you, Lady Hwangbo. Pass the trial. I'll cooperate for that. No other payment."
"Relief. This might just be for the 9th floor... but let's do this together."
Hwangbo Gahye smiled brightly. Still a pretty face. And that body under the clothes? Gotta be stunning.
Shiver. Shiver shiver!
???
Group 55 finished minimal prep and headed out. Huddling inside like cowards gained nothing. To pass, snag two enemy flags within ten days.
"Young Hero Sung."
Hwangbo Gahye grabbed my hand. Softer than her face? No—callused, rough. Scars dotted fingers and back. Fitting for fist-fighting Hwangbo Clan.
Body Reconstruction would smooth those hands, but that was distant future for her. Maybe never.
"Scout for us, Young Hero Sung. Can't trust many besides you. Please."
Made sense. Send anyone else, risk pointless losses. My reliable return prevented that.
"Haha, got it."
"Thanks, Young Hero Sung!"
She squeezed hard. No pain. But that faint, sweet scent from her? Clear as day.
'Body fragrance? Perfume?'
Didn't matter. Sweat from a beauty like her beat high-end perfume.
Anyway, I scouted as asked. Got lazy running, so I flew a drone skyward. If questioned, call it a magic tool. This world was convenient that way.
'Found 'em.'
Nearby: five groups. 14, 71, 101, 37, 44. Two ambushing, three prowling like beasts.
'Tower interior's stupidly huge. Seoul-sized at least... population, land, sorcery—this world's scale is insane.'
Back to Group 55 in under an hour. Hwangbo Gahye's eyes filled with doubt.
"Young Hero Sung...? Trouble?"
"Scouting done. Two groups ambushing. Three moving nearby."
"Huh? B-but only an hour passed?"
"Lucky—had a scouting-specialized magic tool."
"...I see."
Doubt lingered.
I grinned. Few hours, it'd flip 180 degrees.
'Women fall for capable men. ...Men too, but anyway.'
Beauty was a woman's skill too.
"Target Group 71. Knowing their ambush lets us turn tables."
"Smart choice."
Hwangbo Gahye spoke softly, but moved like lightning. Target locked, she charged without hesitation. No surprise—I'd predicted from her iron-hard fists. Normal woman wouldn't have those.
"Enemies! Group 55 hitting from behind!"
"Damn it! Fight back! Lose the flag, we're done!"
"Five Qi warrior! Take him out, easy!"
Battle ended in 30 minutes.
I led, killing seven first. All Outpost Realm. Group 71: half dead, half surrendered. We lost four.
'...Manmu Tower didn't group randomly. Group 71 had no Five Qi elites, but 13 Outpost warriors. Rest late Entry Realm.'
Group 55: five at Outpost+, including me. Three from Hwangbo side, me, Seong Ji-gon.
Soldiers appeared—watching? Over 50 strong, they bound Group 71 survivors.
"Congrats on Group 55's first win. Cleaning the field. You have five casualties too. Absorb prisoners?"
"...Possible?"
"Groups cap at 30. Fill the five spots with them, sure."
Defeated warriors' eyes changed. Chance for losers. Five of fifteen survivors.
"Me! Pick me! Outpost 2nd dan!"
"No injuries! Sword intact!"
"...8th floor reward magic tool yours! Take me!"
They knelt, clamoring. Heads to ground commonplace; offered arts, tools, elixirs. 10th floor beat that anyway.
"Young Hero Sung. Thoughts?"
As expected, Hwangbo Gahye looked to me—trust brimming, friendly smile.
"You're leading Group 55, Lady Hwangbo. Your call."
"Really okay?"
"Lady Hwangbo, a man's word is gold. I don't double-speak."
"Young Hero Sung's so manly."
"Haha, guilty."
Hwangbo Gahye took the top five skilled prisoners. Strengthened forces—no complaints.