Chapter 146
Chapter 146
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: S3. Taking the Past as a Mirror -3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Seeing the mad mage sorting through a heap of challenge tasks, Yuna cut in with a question.
"Hey, are these challenge tasks... maybe meant for Envers to see?"
"Nah, not really. It's just that resolutions feel better with rewards attached, so I'm organizing them in advance. Makes it easier to keep track."
"Rewards?"
"Yeah. Whenever one gets cleared, hand over something nice... For example."
"Clear this, and you get +99 Strength legendary grade Shining Wings."
"Gah──!!"
The mad mage got lightly smacked by Yuna's Taijiquan.
The man standing there in azure martial robes, the one Nangong Myeong had called Brother Ox.
Nangong Zhao, the eldest son and direct descendant of the Nangong Clan, wielder of the Heartless Radiant Sword, was a martial artist straight out of a painting.
His looks were refined, his martial prowess exceptional. Having reached peak master realm just past twenty, he was a blessing to the martial world.
And not just that. Compared to Nangong Myeong, who had barely turned seven, the age gap was vast, making him a prime candidate for the next clan head.
With his appearance, skill, and bloodline all in perfect alignment, his brilliance pierced through any cloth like a needle in a pocket. He was counted among the top prodigies of the current martial world.
"I hear he's the one Myeong brought along. A Taoist who's reached great heights in sorcery, they say."
"Just a few meager skills to my name."
"Is that so?"
What elevated his reputation further was his habit of speaking respectfully to everyone, regardless of status. Despite possessing so much, his humility in lowering himself before others marked him as truly extraordinary.
Was that initial unease just an illusion?
Nangong Zhao volunteered to guide Envers around the clan estate. Even though he was Myeong's guest, if the kid slipped up, it would reflect badly on the family—so as his elder brother, he'd handle it instead.
Myeong had cheerfully replied, "If Brother's taking care of it, I feel relieved!"
And so, Envers found himself walking side by side with Nangong Zhao down the corridor.
An awkward silence hung between them. Envers felt a strange discomfort, but Nangong Zhao strolled along leisurely, a faint smile on his face.
Asking where they were headed first felt off, and staying quiet only made the silence more oppressive. As Envers walked on uncertainly, a creak squeaked from under his foot.
Squeak.
"......?"
"You made a sound."
Nangong Zhao glanced down briefly, then took two more steps forward. Unlike Envers, not a single creak followed his steps. He continued.
"I figured it'd be a good chance for you to reflect on your footwork, so I had them leave this corridor unrepaired on purpose."
"I-is that so."
"Passing through here leads to the reception hall where our family's guests gather. You'll be staying there too, Taoist."
"Hm......"
Squeak. Squeak.
One set of footsteps kept emitting that grating noise, while the other was silent as tracks in snow. The creaks felt like they were tattling on him, and he thought.
When he shot down that ogre, Luna had moved without a sound. She'd said noise draws aggro.
Definitely, the key was smooth weight distribution.
Squeak. Sqqueeak──.
As he gradually adjusted his stepping, the squeaks from Envers lessened a bit. That's when Nangong Zhao spoke up.
"Taoist?"
"......Hm?"
His focus shattered. He'd almost had it.
"My father's birthday is approaching. We're planning a banquet soon, so we invited a Taoist for the occasion. He's staying in the reception hall too."
"I see."
"Yes. Just as peak warriors might talk martial arts all night when they meet, as fellow sorcerers, you two should have plenty in common, right? That's why we put you in the room next door."
"Hm. My thanks for the kindness."
A mage from another world? He was intrigued. As a fake mage himself, he might not dive deep into theory, but maybe artifacts could spark some conversation.
At the end of the long corridor appeared a small garden. In its center stood a two-story building—that must be the reception hall.
Nangong Zhao stopped and turned to look at Envers.
"Come to think of it... I heard there was a Demonic Cult raid on your way here. You got us through a major crisis with your sorcery."
"Luckily had a scroll... talisman handy, so I shook them off."
"A talisman that overcomes crises. Must be a potent one. Do you happen to have a few more like that?"
"........."
Silence.
Not too long, not too short.
As Envers's thoughts grew tangled, preparing to say prying like that wasn't cool, Nangong Zhao bowed slightly as if realizing his mistake and spoke first.
"My apologies for the rudeness. I've always been fascinated by sorcery... I ended up blurting out an impolite question. I truly thank you for saving my little brother. That's what I wanted to say."
"......You cherish your brother a lot?"
"Of course. He's my one and only."
"........."
With a smiling face, he pointed out the room with the azure flag hanging at the reception hall, then turned and glided silently down the corridor.
Envers gazed up at the sky with a puzzled expression, deep in thought. For some reason, standing before that man made him uneasy. Like a spider crawling on the back of his hand.
"......Nah, probably just my imagination."
Men naturally get irritated seeing pretty boys who look too perfect. Had to be that.
Envers scratched the back of his head vigorously and stepped into the reception hall.
The reception hall inside was a large parlor with small side rooms attached. Each side room door had a small flag of a different color, making them easy to distinguish without signs.
The crimson-flagged door was open, and a middle-aged man with a goatee sat at the parlor table sipping tea.
From the circumstances, he seemed to be the Taoist Nangong Zhao had invited.
His appearance fit the part perfectly. Odd hat on his head, long robes draped around him, feathers of various colors stuck in the hat, and talismans dangling from his belt. Like he was advertising "I'm a Taoist!"
Envers found the getup fascinating and approached amiably.
"Pleased to meet you. I am......"
"You're that con artist, aren't you?!"
".........?"
Hit right off with "con artist," Envers flinched. Part shock, part guilt—he wasn't a real mage, after all.
But how did this Taoist know to call him that on sight?
"What kind of talk is that at first meeting?"
"A young punk with baby fuzz still on his face calling himself a Taoist? You must think the Nangong Clan is a joke! Dream on! I see right through you, con man!"
"......Hah."
"How could a scrub like you bring heavenly thunderclouds down to earth?!"
His frantic squirrellike antics were grating. Envers finally got why the Taoist was yelling. Suspicion and jealousy filled him.
His pride couldn't accept some kid as a renowned sorcerer, so he lashed out with baseless doubts first. Must've tricked them somehow.
Envers had hoped for a solid chat with an otherworld mage, but now he scowled and turned away. No point wasting time.
"Hey! Running away, coward?!"
"Forget it. No mana from my scroll on your belt means you're either a fraud or worthless. Take your pick."
"Who're you calling a fraud?! Insolent whelp! Get ready, con artist! The banquet's soon—I'll expose you in front of everyone!"
Envers entered the azure-flagged room and slammed the sliding door shut.
Ignoring the yapping from outside as best he could, he unpacked and lay on the bed. Minor hiccup, but things were going smoothly so far.
They'd accepted his lifesaving grace and welcomed him as a guest.
If the Nangong Clan needed his help later, he'd return the favor and get repaid in kind... then leave or stay as he pleased.
What martial arts would he encounter? The thought made his heart race.
Envers rested briefly in the reception hall, but soon his body itched for action, and he got up from bed.
Meals would come at set times via attendants, and they'd notify him if called—but sitting idle felt like a waste, bugs crawling under his skin.
Boredom meant training martial arts for Envers. Transferred to this world, his drive only surged higher. Practicing in the front yard might ruin the flowers, though, so he needed the training grounds.
Asking a servant? Plenty of time till dinner, might not see one soon. Wandering blindly? He didn't know the estate layout.
Thus, Envers raised his voice outside the cranky Taoist's crimson-flagged room.
"Got a question."
"Think I'd answer a con artist?!"
"Don't plan on chatting long either! Need the training grounds for practice—just point the way, and I'm gone."
"......Training grounds?"
The Taoist paused thoughtfully, then gave directions.
"Follow the squeaky corridor straight, turn right at the first corner—big open lot there. That's the Nangong Clan's training grounds."
"......Quicker than expected."
Envers eyed him suspiciously, but got no reply. Wrong directions on purpose? If so, just backtrack.
Squeak, squeak.
He passed the creaky corridor again (trying to quiet his steps, but no luck) and followed as told.
Dead-end corridor had one door. Handle turned unlocked. Pushing it open revealed the promised open lot.
And the training grounds had a prior visitor.
Long hair whipping as she thrust her sword. The blade sliced air sharply on the draw, infused with technique—precise, ferocious swordplay blended with a woman's graceful motions.
Martial arts!
Envers watched the sword dance, entranced. Nothing like the arts from the beggar.
What goal had forged this swordsmanship? If Luna were here, she'd explain like with the staff art. What would it look like fully matured!
His body buzzed. As Envers traced the sword's path with his fingers, the swordswoman whipped her head around sharply.
"......Who goes there?!"
Shiiiing!
Sword throw. The blade flew through empty air.
Envers didn't move. He knew it wasn't aimed at him—destined for the door.
Thunk! Rattle.
The longsword quivered, half-buried in the door.
Envers clapped in admiration, stepping forward.
"Wandered looking for a practice spot and stumbled on this. Impressive swordplay!"
"......Lecher? Then you must be the Taoist Myeong mentioned."
"And you are?"
"Nangong Seungha, second daughter of the Nangong Clan... but no need to sully my name telling clan arts thieves!"
".........?"
Right—peeking on training was grave rudeness in the martial world. But he'd been mesmerized by her sword, no time for manners. Envers waved his arms frantically.
"Wasn't my intent!"
"Thieves always say that. Next you'll claim ignorance as an outsider to Central Plains culture?"
Preempted!
Nangong Seungha blocked his excuse cleverly, leaving Envers flustered, brain racing. How to salvage this?
In the chaos, he blurted his honest thought.
"Wasn't worth stealing."
"........."
"I mean, the forms themselves were gorgeous. But the wielder doesn't swing with clarity, so the sword's greater intent isn't there. Like... an empty treasure chest—nothing to steal, right......"
"......If you're so confident, prove it with your body──!!"
Hearing "your skills suck" to her face, Nangong Seungha exploded.
Envers should be grateful for the Nangong Clan's solid family education. Instead of running to her father demanding the barbarian's head on a pike, Nangong Seungha formally proposed a spar.
She retrieved her sword from the door, gripped it mid-guard, and aimed.
"Endure ten exchanges, and I'll call your rudeness forgotten."
"Fine. And I didn't mean personal attacks......"
"Let's see if this motormouth Taoist's skills match his mouth!"
"Mm......"
Fair fight, right?
Envers rolled up his sleeves, revealing well-developed muscles from long training. A glint flashed in Nangong Seungha's eyes.
"........."
"As you see, I've trained in martial arts, crude as they are. No scrolls... talismans or artifacts in this spar—mark my words."
"Here I come! Hah──!"
Whoosh!
The sword flew in. Like painting a trajectory on an empty canvas. Nangong Seungha was well-honed, her sword momentum solid.
"Academy bottom ranks......"
"What'd you mutter?!"
Even the Imperial Academy, scraping together geniuses for training—Envers had rolled hard there. The gap was wide.
Whoosh, whoosh──!
He deflected the first three forms effortlessly. Impatience flickered on Nangong Seungha's face. Envers pondered briefly, then closed his eyes.
"......What're you doing?"
"I can dodge like this."
"Urgh......!!"
Slash, shwick──!!
Four, five, six.
Consecutive strikes. Facing the whipping barrage that rent the air like silk, Envers activated gaze insight. Eyes closed sharpened his senses. She was straightforward.
Straightforward and pure.
Swinging, but not at vitals. Flesh wounds, survivable or quick to heal. Or clothing to humiliate.
She wanted to punish his rudeness, but not kill or cripple. Just a stern warning.
Trading blows revealed her heart. Socially dense Envers's people skills skyrocketed in the duel.
Envers smiled faintly.
"Mocking me?!"
"No, just... your pure heart made me smile."
"F-flirting?!"
"Not that...... Fun! Swing sharper—I'll handle it, so go all out!"
Nangong Seungha's expression shifted subtly. This Azure Glow Taoist was enjoying himself. Maybe mocking her? No, he seemed to love exchanging arts.
A foreigner Taoist into martial arts.
Like delight at an outsider devouring kimchi stew, it wasn't bad—it excited her. As he said, she swung bolder.
Swish. Sashasak!
Stepping in, stabbing acupoints. But before she moved, he dodged as if reading her target.
Superb qi sense tracking energy? She sank her qi.
Whish!
Swish.
Dodged lightly, eyes everywhere. Detecting attacks was skill, but evasion was bodywork. His moves were crude, but his physical power immense. Honest speed without finesse.
"No empty words! This is ten—take it!"
Nangong Seungha deemed Azure Glow Taoist a senior master. Going easy on a master was ruder; treat as learning chance.
Shedding arrogance and anger, she unleashed her full-powered ultimate technique.
"Azure Qilin!"
Envers opened his eyes.
Like a qilin soaring across the sky, blue haze flickered on the blade drawing a parabolic arc. A technique devouring space.
Area attack, not linear. Dodge the blade? The rippling haze would slice anyway.
Two choices: big retreat or block before spread.
Then preempt it!
"Explosive Scatter Bind!"
Thud.
His thrusting palm pinned the sword hilt. Azure Qilin was halted before takeoff.
"........."
"........."
The two warriors locked eyes briefly, then withdrew their energy together. Nangong Seungha spoke, green but not mad.
"......As promised, peeking's forgotten."
"Thanks. But is this the only training ground?"
"Hardly. This is for direct Nangong bloodline; guests have their own."
"........."
Envers ground his teeth silently. That damn Taoist screwed him.
If things went wrong, big trouble. Kicked out? Maybe even blades drawn. He silently vowed revenge.
"Azure Glow Taoist! If you have time later, could you share more? How'd you counter that Re Sword guy with draw-sword arts? I think slow pressure suits fast swords. Whenever you're free, of course──"
"Azure Glow Taoist, it'll be different this time. Can't dodge eyes closed—let's spar again!"
"........."
Envers, usually the one sucking qi from others, finally knew what it felt like to have his drained.