Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Fortune Calculation Method
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The carriage rattled along toward the Mount Hua Sect.
Amid the clattering sounds, Han Ibi recalled the events in the Yellow River basin.
After capturing the Fan Master, everything had been too straightforward.
Whether river bandits or mountain thieves, their personnel quality was significantly inferior compared to proper martial sects of the world.
In other words, they were short on talent.
A structure where a few exceptionally strong warriors led, and below them swarmed countless ragtag minions.
After all, most who turned to banditry were common folk who could barely sustain a normal life, right?
The Yellow River Waterway Gang's situation wasn't much different.
So once their leader fell, they all scattered in panic without a second thought.
Moreover, with the Murim Alliance's experts present, any notion of resistance was as predictable as fire burning.
The Black Fiend Waterway Gang had completely sunk the Yellow River Waterway Gang's boats to the riverbed.
Honestly, those combat ships were tempting spoils, but destroying them outright was judged better than leaving future troubles.
Building ships was exorbitantly expensive even now.
And those were the bandits' main source of income, so the Yellow River Waterway Gang had suffered a devastating blow.
Even if remnants lingered, they wouldn't wield power for a while.
The Black Fiend Waterway Gang's chief, Son Il-gwang, was immensely grateful to Han Ibi.
As if he'd rip out his own liver for him.
No wonder—he'd saved both the waterway gang and his sister!
So despite Han Ibi's polite refusals, Son Il-gwang gifted him a ring he'd kept from the seized cargo.
+ Eagle's Eye Technique advanced to Level 7.
+ Unlocked Thorough Heavenly Eye: Fortune Calculation Method.
Ding!
Crocodile Fang Ring, huh...
Han Ibi glanced down at the ring on his ring finger.
It didn't look like much to the naked eye.
A plain, ivory-like band... crudely shaped at that.
That was the 'Crocodile Fang Ring'.
Regardless, this ring boosted one's normal strength by +100 upon wearing it.
'Not quite a 108 Fortuitous Encounters item, but gathering these little things will help in a pinch. But that Fortune Calculation Method...'
"We've arrived."
The voice of the temporarily hired coachman rang out.
"What are you dawdling for?"
Meng Gap-son, riding separately on horseback, shouted.
At that, the Little Five Dragons disembarked from the carriage in unison.
But all that stood there was a lone, enigmatic stele inscribed with unknown script.
Wudang's Yang Je spoke up.
"Huh? This doesn't seem right."
Meng Gap-son snorted.
"What'd you expect? You think Mount Hua's in the marketplace? We walk from here."
The Little Five Dragons could only grimace at the sheer cliffs before them.
"Master!"
Bang Gwang-sil scampered over and bowed deeply.
A sturdy-built middle-aged man with a long goatee smiled warmly.
"Oh! Gwang-sil, you're back."
"Yes, Master. I, Bang Gwang-sil, did it!"
The middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction.
"Well done. Very well done."
Then he turned to Meng Gap-son and bowed.
"It's been a while, Hero Meng."
Meng Gap-son replied.
"Indeed, Hero Mok. Time flies."
This goateed man's name was Mok Gyeom.
He was the senior brother to this generation's disciples and Mount Hua's prodigy.
At that moment, Han Ibi was thinking.
'Am I getting better at physiognomy with age? Or is this another Thorough Heavenly Eye effect...? Hmm?'
Han Ibi narrowed his eyes.
As if confirming something.
'No way...'
Indeed.
His eyes weren't deceiving him.
A hologram-like string of characters floated above Mok Gyeom's head.
- 六二
'Let's see... What is this? Age? Nah, even accounting for looking young, that doesn't fit. Then maybe...'
Han Ibi turned to Bang Gwang-sil, who was grinning happily back home.
- 二八
Sure enough, a faint image hovered above his head.
Han Ibi rubbed his eyes and glanced at Shaolin's Hye-jeong.
- 四三
Pretty high. Doesn't match the appearance.
Next, he checked Wudang's Yang Je.
But...
Strangely, no number appeared above Yang Je.
Instead, a faint red mark hovered.
Han Ibi tilted his head, then finally looked at Meng Gap-son.
- 七八
'Whoa, that's insane. Looks like... a quantified equivalent level for martial prowess.'
Han Ibi was a bit shocked but soon cheered inwardly.
Now he had a kind of x-ray vision to gauge opponents' strength before clashing.
Excited, Han Ibi called the system.
'System.'
'This seems really good. But it doesn't consume internal energy or anything, right?'
'Whoa! Then it's fantastic!'
'Yeah, figures. Too easy. Yes for now.'
'Whew, so complicated.'
That was when it happened.
"What're you staring at, punk? Noodles from lunch on my face?"
"N-no, sir. Just... feeling awkward."
At that instant, Mok Gyeom spoke in a crisp voice.
"Ah, my apologies. I've kept our esteemed guests waiting while catching up with my prized disciple—it's been ages."
He laughed heartily again, delighted, and continued.
"The other young heroes must be eager to return to their sects."
Well, speak for yourself...
"But fret not. This is just a celebration. It'll wrap up quick, and you can head back."
"The real hassle comes after. Thinking it's over would be a big mistake."
It was Meng Gap-son.
Mok Gyeom cleared his throat awkwardly, then changed the subject.
"Anyway, you've come far. Let's wet our throats and fill our bellies first. Our sect leader's waiting impatiently."
Bang Gwang-sil puffed up proudly, nodding sagely.
"Rest easy, everyone. Mountains as beautiful as Mount Hua are rare in a thousand years. And when plum blossoms bloom..."
Han Ibi, fed up, stepped forward and cut him off.
He cupped his fists toward Mok Gyeom.
"Thank you for your kindness, Hero Mok."
Mok Gyeom smiled benignly.
"Oh ho, your spirit could topple mountains, your grace overflows the land."
Silence fell. What the...?
Bang Gwang-sil chuckled awkwardly.
"My master... loves poetry."
Mok Gyeom, lost in his vibe, recited more.
"...Like a hero's rock-solid demeanor, you..."
He looked straight at Han Ibi.
"You're the Yellow Dragon of the Little Five Dragons, Tang Baek-mun of Sichuan Tang Clan, right? Knew it right away. Haha!"
Silence again.
As Bang Gwang-sil opened his mouth to correct, Han Ibi spoke.
"Regrettably, I'm not Tang Baek-mun. Allow me to introduce myself: Jong Ri-mae, second-generation disciple of Qingcheng Sect."
Mok Gyeom's expression stiffened slightly.
"Ah... You're that..."
His words trailed off.
Han Ibi sensed something off.
Tang Baek-mun interjected.
"I'm Tang Baek-mun of Sichuan Tang Clan."
"Ah, right. How's the clan head?"
"He's well."
"Good. Whoops, I've held things up too long. Come on in."
The group followed Mok Gyeom inside.
Bringing up the rear, Han Ibi thought.
'Spirit toppling mountains, grace overflowing? Hero's demeanor? Me? Heh.'
But Han Ibi didn't notice.
Every female disciple they passed was sneaking glances at him.
Leading them through the Mount Hua Sect grounds, Mok Gyeom said.
"Greetings with the sect members can wait. Best pay respects to the sect leader first."
He pushed open a massive gate towering over head height.
A crowd had already gathered inside.
Mok Gyeom said.
"Go on, pay respects to the sect leader."
The group prepared to bow to a fairy-like figure in sky-blue robes.
All except Han Ibi and Bang Gwang-sil.
Bang Gwang-sil looked troubled.
"No, not him. This gentleman here is our sect leader."
Tang Baek-mun, Hye-jeong, and Yang Je's gazes dropped sharply.
"No need for formalities..."
The old man waved it off, shaking his head.
He was extremely short—even two heads shorter than average men.
And clad in rags that seemed ready to tear at a touch.
As everyone faltered,
Han Ibi bowed first.
"Jong Ri-mae of Qingcheng Sect pays his respects."
The old man looked intrigued.
"So you're the one."
"Pardon?"
"The interesting fellow they mentioned."
"I don't follow."
"Anyway, congratulations. I am Huang Pi-bong, sect leader of Mount Hua."
"Ah... Thank you, sir."
Han Ibi stepped back, head tilted.
Bang Gwang-sil aside, how did Han Ibi spot the sect leader as this unassuming old man?
At that moment, Han Ibi bowed to the fairy-like elder nearby.
"Long time no see, Hero Chae."
"Hahaha. Indeed. Young Hero Jong—or should I say Azure Dragon now?"
Yes.
Han Ibi had correctly identified the sect leader unlike the others because he knew the man to his left.
Han Ibi said.
"Feels awkward."
This fairy-like elder was Chae Geuk-ik, Mount Hua's representative at the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament.
As Han Ibi led, the others finished their greetings one by one.
A man standing aside spoke up.
"Haha, Sect Leader. When do we get introductions? I'm itching here."
Chae Geuk-ik suddenly barked.
"Xiao Ping! Mind your manners!"
Mount Hua's Sect Leader Huang Pi-bong chuckled.
"Xiao Ping's always like this."
A deep voice interjected from nearby.
"Still, show respect to the sect leader."
A middle-aged monk stepped forward.
'Ah, a monk here too.'
Han Ibi glanced at Hye-jeong, who smiled unusually warmly.
'And a Shaolin disciple glad to see him!'
(To be continued)