Chapter 328
Chapter 328
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: Martial Alliance Gathering (2)
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No matter how he looked at it, something was off.
Hugo seriously analyzed the current situation.
'Alright—let's think about this objectively. About myself, Ha Seung-hoon.'
For starters, his current identity was that of a retainer in the Zhuge family.
He was trusted enough to accompany them to an event like this to help with the family's affairs.
'My realm is at the early stage of Peak. For someone in their early to mid-twenties, that's an incredibly high level.'
Even those with talent in martial arts usually reached Peak in their thirties, and without talent, they might never reach it in their lifetime. That alone showed how impressive it was.
Was that the reason?
'...That doesn't seem quite enough.'
It was extremely rare, but the world was vast, and geniuses were plentiful. It wasn't unheard of.
The Nangong family's young lord had reached the same realm in his mid-twenties, after all.
There were other things too—like secretly treating the rare illness of the imperial scion entrusted to Shaolin, or the Zhuge family's prized genius—but he'd been careful with security, so they probably hadn't spread yet.
So, that reaction...
'I think they've figured me out.'
On the way to the venue for the opening ceremony of this gathering.
Hugo subtly turned his head away from the sparkling eyes observing him from a short distance, eyes brimming with eager anticipation. He gave a wry smile.
No matter how he saw it, that curious gaze wasn't just the admiration for a talented youth excelling beyond his years.
No, if it were just that, it could be seen as interest in someone more talented than her brother...
'But add that reaction to the mix.'
Beside Nangong So-ran, who was sending him those excited looks as if her head were full of flowers, stood Nangong Huang, the Nangong family's young lord, suppressing her from going wild.
True to his status as the next family head, he feigned calm without showing anything outwardly. But he couldn't fool Hugo's senses, which far surpassed ordinary Peak-level perception.
'He's on guard against me. Extremely so.'
It wasn't the soft emotion of jealousy toward a superior or rivalry with a worthy opponent.
It was more like the stance one took against a dangerous element whose next move was unpredictable.
Watching him stay tense, ready to respond instantly to any sudden threat from anywhere, Hugo became certain.
They already knew something about him.
'...It's not like I have no guesses.'
Hugo let out a small sigh and recalled a previous encounter.
The Nangong family's former head, one of the absolute masters renowned in the previous generation.
Right after facing Sword Saint Nangong Woo, when their eyes met, and he'd felt dissected by that gaze.
Releasing aura to probe a stranger was rude, so he hadn't sensed any energy flow then. But considering the level gap, it wouldn't be strange if the man had seen through him somehow.
After all, the man was a transcendent realm expert, beyond mere mortals.
'I was as cautious as possible, accounting for that, but it wasn't enough against a transcendent.'
Since Harley had once detected his awakened status just from a handshake, Hugo always kept the risk of exposure to experts in mind.
He just hadn't expected it to happen like this...
"Young Master Ha, are you alright? Do you have something weighing on your mind?"
"Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
"If you're not feeling well, you can go rest."
"Hahaha, I can't do that on the first day. When else would I get to meet such remarkable people if not here?"
"...There's plenty of time ahead..."
"Still, symbolism matters."
Hugo shook his head at Zhuge Jung-hyuk's words, bantering lightly.
In truth, though called a gathering, the real decision-makers from each faction exchanged info and discussed key matters separately. There was no full assembly or grand banquet.
It simply provided a space for a set period to mingle with desired contacts and build rapport.
'Well, it's hosted at a temple, so a party would be awkward anyway.'
Thus, the opening ceremony was mere formality, but tradition demanded it couldn't be skipped.
And since it was the first day, everyone attending would gather in one place—perfect for gauging the current state of the martial world.
'Right, focus on this first. The Nangong side doesn't seem intent on exposing me publicly. ...Not that it would matter much if they did.'
With the Zhuge family already knowing, perfect secrets didn't exist in the world.
The Shaolin side might have suspicions from the treatment too.
If worried, he'd have disguised High Elf Harris or Barbarian Warrior Harley more thoroughly.
Having rationalized it, Hugo turned with a lighter heart—only to lock eyes directly with Zhuge Jung-hyuk, staring at him oddly.
The young master of the Zhuge flinched in surprise and began cautiously gauging his reaction.
"Do you have something to say?"
Growing uncomfortable, Hugo asked first. After hesitating, Zhuge Jung-hyuk spoke carefully.
"...Um, when did you get close with Lady Nangong?"
"......"
"No, from what I know, you two had no connections. But after the first day, you suddenly seemed so intimate... Ahem. No particular meaning. Just curious what happened."
Hugo narrowed his eyes at the young master rambling to himself despite saying little.
'I don't know either, man.'
The young master was growing increasingly untrustworthy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As expected, the opening ceremony ended simply without fanfare.
The leaders from each faction chatted among themselves and dispersed, leaving the rest to freely mingle in the designated area.
Talk, spar at the arena, or return to quarters—whatever.
It was purely a space provided for camaraderie.
Understanding each other through various means would foster harmony, they judged.
Of course, with diverse ages, personalities, hobbies, and skill levels, friction was possible.
Yet the gathering persisted, implying benefits outweighed drawbacks.
A key factor: networking among the younger generation, future pillars of the martial world.
"Amitabha. This is Soseung of Shaolin. We thank you all for journeying so far."
"No need. When else would we visit Shaolin, the martial world's Mount Tai and Big Dipper?"
"Indeed. Seeing the wide world humbles me—I've been a frog in a well. Now I understand the elders' words."
"Hahaha! Same here. I thought my brother was the Central Plains' top prodigy, but my horizons broadened. Oh, I'm Paeng Won-so from the Paeng family! Pleased to meet you!"
Few youths amid mature adults, so they naturally clustered together, exchanging greetings and familiarizing.
"Speaking of, no Moyong family or Kunlun Sect? Would've been nice to meet them."
"Ah, I know the Moyong situation. Closest to us Paeng, so I hear news—they're swamped by bandits ravaging Liaoning, no spare attention. Even mobilizing in North of the River for defense."
"Sigh, too far to aid. We can only pray they endure."
Some knew each other due to proximity, but most were strangers, so conversations stayed polite and cautious.
The Martial Alliance gathering occurred every 4-5 years.
Rare chance for distant folk to connect, so all engaged eagerly.
But outliers existed everywhere.
"Those barbarians must be too busy fighting among themselves. Hope they keep ignoring us."
The man's cynical voice brought sudden silence.
Yet the culprit from Sacheon Tang Clan brazenly scanned the room.
"...No Beggars' Sect this time. Last gathering, the Gang leader came himself."
"Obvious circumstances—probably impossible."
"...True, can't be helped."
The response: ignore him.
All trained to avoid faction friction, wary of giving openings.
"Good riddance. Beggars would just stink up the place. Streets crawl with them—learning martial arts? Tsk."
The spoiled youth, dragged unwillingly, ignored such concerns.
Shattering family hopes of worldly growth maturing him during travel.
His quiet demeanor en route made it sting more.
'Classic cliché. That type always stirs trouble later.'
Observing from a step away, Hugo stroked his chin gravely, nodding.
His cliché radar blared for the first time in ages.
Seemed like foreshadowing piling up.
'Unsettling. Feels like something's about to explode.'
His main goal following here: gather max info on regions and realities.
Plus build friendly ties to expand influence.
Yet creeping unease rooted him, intuition from transcendent mind overriding modest physical realm...
"Young Master Ha! What are you doing alone?"
That thought shattered as Nangong So-ran approached with a bright smile, her clear voice making it real.
Gazes snapped to him instantly.
Among young prodigies, a beauty naturally drew attention; the men had been subtly watching her.
Few women, and she led their group.
They'd eyed openings to approach the flower garden but hesitated—now she approached him.
'Ah, damn.'
Among those stares: the Tang clan's delinquent, Tang Ha-gi, who'd been aggroing till moments ago.
Hugo sighed inwardly, closing his eyes briefly.
"Oh! Young master, you haven't been introduced yet? This is Lady Hwangbo Yoon from the Hwangbo family, and over here from Ami Sect..."
"P-pleased to meet you, young hero."
"Amitabha."
She introduced the women she'd been with.
Grateful, but wishing better timing, he gave an awkward smile—then met her eyes.
'Ah, she did this on purpose.'
Sparkling with mischief.
Those obsidian eyes held strange fondness and firm intent to never let him idle quietly.
'Well, considering my goals, this isn't bad.'
Hard to mingle equally as mere 'Zhuge retainer' in this elite league.
But a prestigious lady introducing her circle and drawing eyes? Perfect.
'Yes, better to leverage this. Actually ideal.'
Handling that warming-up punk was no big deal.
Resolved, Hugo smiled warmly at the onlookers.
"You, from wherever you crawled..."
But before Tang Ha-gi could retort fully—
Rumble—
Sudden commotion from outside filtered in.
And with it, an unexpected announcement.
"Kunlun Sect has arrived!"
Not just the youths—everyone's attention swung there.
"Kunlun?"
"How'd they make it here?"
"That distance... must've cost heavy sacrifices. Why go so far?"
Understandable.
Kunlun was one of the Nine Sects and One Order, but on the Central Plains' extreme fringe in Qinghai Province.
Factoring terrain, distance from Kunlun to Shaolin was over ten times that from Zhuge lands.
Considering battles en route from Zhuge, jaws dropped.
And it was the demonic cult's front line, constant fierce fighting.
'Wait.'
Hearing it, the nagging premonition in Hugo's mind ballooned.
Next instant, he realized his mistake.
'Why'd I think the unease was just youth rivalries?'
Their jealousy posed zero threat to him.
No crisis from whatever they did, so no reason for anxiety.
'Then this...'
The true source lay elsewhere.
For example...
⚠️ EMERGENCY ALERT ⚠️ "All hands to battle stations! Arhats, to your positions!"
A voice laced with inner energy boomed across the grounds.
And simultaneously.
KABOOOM—!
A massive explosion shook the air.
With it, monstrous demonic energy—enough to chill Hugo's senses—erupted like wildfire.