Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Disguised as Ordinary
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It had slipped from his sight.
The moment Han Ibi turned his gaze in panic...
A fan suddenly thrust out from below grazed his wrist's acupoint precisely.
Han Ibi's strength drained in an instant.
At the same time, the Hanjo Sword was swiftly reclaimed by the man.
It had all happened in the blink of an eye.
Han Ibi felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
The man held the Hanjo Sword aloft, examining it in the sunlight, and said,
"Wow! This is incredible. It doesn't even reflect the light. What on earth is it made of? Truly a treasure disguised as something ordinary."
Han Ibi was caught off guard for a moment.
He hurriedly drew the Mysterious Frost Blade, preparing for another attack.
The man seemed too engrossed in admiring the Hanjo Sword to prepare a defense.
Then Kwak Wonhoe shouted loudly,
"Wait! Don't!"
But Han Ibi swiftly unleashed the initial form of the Zhongli Pure Swordsmanship, thrusting toward the man's throat.
The man hadn't taken his eyes off the Hanjo Sword until then.
However...
Suddenly, the Hanjo Sword flew back toward him.
Han Ibi startled and tried to dodge, but it was no use.
As he gritted his teeth, bracing for the pain...
The sword's momentum faltered, veering precisely toward his left hand instead.
Han Ibi caught the Hanjo Sword reflexively, leaving him utterly flustered.
The man chuckled and said,
"Enjoyed the show? You have a fine sword there. The world truly is vast."
Now Han Ibi found himself in an awkward limbo, unable to attack or stand down.
At that moment, Kwak Wonhoe addressed the man,
"Wouldn't it be best if you headed back now? You've met him as you wished."
But the man ignored him completely, turning to Han Ibi instead.
"It was you all along."
Han Ibi replied,
"What are you talking about?"
"That incident."
"What incident?"
"The commotion at the Qingcheng Sect. Embarrassing to admit, but I got drugged too. Haha. It was like getting hit from behind."
"Hmph. If you're talking about the culprit behind that mess, you've got the wrong guy."
"No, that's not it. Everyone mentioned Jong Ri-hyeok... but I instinctively felt someone else was behind it. That's why I summoned all four of you here. To keep suspicion off me."
'What the hell? I don't understand a word of this, but it feels ominous. I get the sense I absolutely shouldn't get involved.'
Thinking this, Han Ibi said,
"At the time, I was lost under the influence of drugs and sonic arts myself. Sounds like you've got me mistaken."
Just then, Kwak Wonhoe's bellow rang out.
"How dare you wag your tongue like that! Calling him 'you'? If you do it one more time..."
The man raised a hand to silence Kwak Wonhoe and said,
"Hold on, Deputy Kwak. I haven't properly introduced myself yet."
He then smiled, snapping open his fan and fanning himself.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Ye Seongwang."
Han Ibi paused, then said,
"Wang... as in king? Your Majesty?"
Kwak Wonhoe looked exasperated as he replied,
"What nonsense is that? His Highness Ye Seongwang is the Fifth Imperial Prince."
'Damn it. Fifth Prince or whatever, how am I supposed to know? I'm from the modern world.'
Kwak Wonhoe barked again,
"Hurry and pay your respects to His Highness Ye Seongwang!"
'Fine, he's some big shot... When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'
Han Ibi quickly dropped to one knee and said,
"Jong Ri-mae of the Zhongli Clan pays his respects to His Highness Ye Seongwang."
After a pause, he added,
"This lowly subject's eyes were blind, failing to recognize Your Highness. My fault is deep and vast beyond words."
'Is... is this polite enough...?'
The man who called himself Ye Seongwang said,
"Good. Since I didn't announce myself beforehand, I won't hold your rudeness against you from this moment on."
"Thank you."
Ye Seongwang said,
"Rise."
"Yes, understood."
Han Ibi straightened from his kneel but kept his head bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Ye Seongwang muttered,
"Damn it."
'Huh? Da-damn it? He's a prince!'
"Cut the crap with that etiquette nonsense."
"Pardon?"
"I'm a martial artist to the bone. Think of me as a jianghu wanderer in imperial robes. So if we're alone, pull that stuff again and I won't deal with you anymore. Just look me in the eye and talk like before. Got it?"
Han Ibi had no clue what to make of it but met his gaze as he answered,
"Yes, understood."
Only then did Ye Seongwang nod in satisfaction.
"Good."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then said,
"Now you'll give me straight answers. What exactly did you do on Qingcheng Mountain that day?"
"I... merely assisted Brother Jong Ri-hyeok in driving off the villains who attacked the Qingcheng Sect."
Ye Seongwang grinned and said,
"Too modest. I heard the details from Jong Ri-hyeok afterward."
"You flatter me."
"Hahaha."
Ye Seongwang burst into laughter, then continued,
"I arrived this morning, curious about how the conference was going. The first report I got was from Deputy Kwak."
"From Brother Kwak...?"
"Yes. Did you really think sharing a room with him was pure coincidence?"
Ding!
Han Ibi felt a sudden twinge at the back of his neck.
So Kwak Wonhoe... was a plant sent by this Ye Seongwang prince to monitor him.
Ahh.
And he'd been calling him "brother," trying so hard to get chummy without a clue...
What a infuriating mess.
Ye Seongwang went on,
"Impressive. Truly impressive. You turned every training session into chaos. Hahaha."
"...My apologies."
"No need to apologize to me. The Murim Alliance must've had their hands full cleaning up, though."
"......"
After a moment's thought, Han Ibi hesitantly spoke,
"If I may be so bold... a question."
"Ask away."
"Isn't it customary for the imperial court to keep its distance from the martial world?"
"That's complicated; not the time now. But if you're asking about the alliance with the Murim Alliance, yes, that was my doing."
"Understood. But why have you been watching me?"
Ye Seongwang's smile faded slightly as he replied,
"I'll explain if I deem you qualified."
"Qualified? What kind of qualification...?"
"Focus on the training first. And secure the title of Little Dragon of the Four Directions without fail."
"Pardon?"
Han Ibi stared at him in shock.
But Ye Seongwang turned to Kwak Wonhoe and said,
"You can withdraw starting today."
Kwak Wonhoe startled,
"But..."
Ye Seongwang said,
"I'll handle things with the Murim Alliance, so don't worry."
Kwak Wonhoe replied,
"Understood."
Ye Seongwang turned back to Han Ibi,
"What happened today?"
"Pardon?"
Stepping closer, Ye Seongwang repeated clearly,
"What happened today?"
Finally grasping his intent, Han Ibi said,
"I was just cultivating here in this grassy patch."
Ye Seongwang nodded approvingly.
"Good, good. Quick on the uptake. If fate brings us together again, we'll meet."
"I look forward to it."
'Like hell we will.'
Han Ibi inwardly vowed as he attended training for the first time in ages.
'Who cares about some Ye Seongwang.'
Nothing like this story existed in his memory of Dream of the Ant Snake.
Something had gone terribly off the rails.
He couldn't afford to get tangled in these side plots.
'No idea where it derailed. Dream of the Ant Snake was supposed to be Jong Ri-hyeok's tale of vengeance for his annihilated clan...'
After that day, Kwak Wonhoe truly vanished.
To the trainees, it was said he'd returned on imperial orders.
Entering the Hyunseo Pavilion with Hyeon, Gil Son-lok, and the others, familiar faces greeted them.
They stared as if at a monster.
Han Ibi sat casually, but his neck prickled uncomfortably.
Only Mun Wonbi and Wang Cheongrin acknowledged him warmly.
Wang Cheongrin asked curiously,
"Weren't you recovering? You look awfully tanned from the sun."
"Oh, that... haha. They say walks are good for you. Whoa! The instructor's here."
The lesson covered lightness skills from the Demonic Cult's martial arts—a subject Han Ibi knew well.
The instructor was none other than Maeng Gap-son, who had tested their lightness skills at the Murim Alliance's Cheonsu Pavilion.
As expected, it was a dreadfully boring session.
How could learning to run by watching not be frustrating?
During the break, Han Ibi approached Jong Ri-hyeok.
The cold half-brother who hadn't visited once during his "illness."
They'd never been close to begin with, but still...
"Bro. I'm back."
Jong Ri-hyeok didn't look up from his book.
"How's your health?"
"Recovered."
"Glad to hear it."
That was it.
So-eunri was buried in her studies too.
Han Ibi gave up on greetings and returned to his seat.
'Sheesh. Such cold folks...'
Actually, most were immersed in their books.
They were all desperate for the Little Dragon of the Four Directions title.
And Han Ibi's track record made him a formidable rival.
'Well... people are people everywhere. I'll endure. I'm magnanimous... magnanimous...'
On some level, he understood.
The final exam for selecting the Little Dragons was just a week away.
As the last session ended, Heo Son-dam appeared at the podium.
"Everyone, you've worked hard studying. The official training is now complete."
A murmur of tension filled the pavilion.
Heo Son-dam continued,
"Exactly one week from now, the final selection exam for the Little Dragons will be held."
Kuk In-rang of the Jeomchang Sect raised his hand.
"What form will the final exam take?"
Heo Son-dam replied,
"Naturally... scores from all areas will be tallied. Especially the final exam—it carries great weight."
Wang Cheongrin raised her hand.
"How will the final exam proceed?"
Heo Son-dam said slowly,
"Details will be announced at the exam site in one week. Please wait patiently."
'Boats... What the hell? This isn't the ocean.'
Indeed.
Han Ibi and the trainees were now divided among boats from the Seocheong Sect, rowing across the water.
Near Hyunseo Pavilion lay Dongrae Lake.
Its origins were unknown, but its vast size made it hard to tell lake from sea.
Han Ibi thought,
'Damn. I thought lakes this big only existed in those damned formations. The scale here is on another level.'
Then Yeo Nanju beside him said,
"My, what a beautiful lake. Isn't it?"
Addressing Jong Ri-hyeok next to her, of course.
But he was as curt as ever.
"Not bad."
Yeo Nanju had ranked at the bottom in nearly every session.
She seemed utterly relaxed for it.
Most trainees, however, looked tense.
All chasing that coveted Little Dragon title, no doubt.
Just then, the Mount Hua Sect disciple rowing their boat quickened his strokes.
(To be continued in the next chapter)