Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: You're With Me Now, Right?
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Vampire.
The undying ones. A type of monster classified under the so-called "undead." Unlike other undead whose forms are starkly distinct and obvious, they not only resemble humans almost perfectly in shape but also possess the striking trait of manifesting primarily as exceptionally handsome men or beautiful women.
They boast intellectual capabilities close to that of humans, but increasing their numbers demands a cumbersome process compared to other undead, so they rarely appear in great numbers.
Moreover, they suffer a fatal weakness: even brief exposure to sunlight causes the affected body part to melt in a way that defies regeneration.
As a result, serving as the Third Legion of the undying hordes—unlike the overwhelming masses of the First and Second Legions—they fought in wars as a small elite force, sowing chaos among humankind.
Their primary abilities revolve around potent magic and illusions employing blood as a medium, including brainwashing and hypnosis.
Another critical vulnerability stems from their racial trait: a pride verging on hubris, ripe for exploitation to lure them into absurd blunders.
Tales claim they cannot cross running water, but lacking verified confirmation, this is omitted from the formal record.
-Records for Future Heroes
"Damn it... No matter how I look at it, it's just too damn wasteful."
A man was slipping into a suspicious underground facility near Anhui Province.
The uproar he'd stirred in Henan just days ago had been quashed all too easily by a woman who appeared out of nowhere, and he hadn't recovered a single ingredient from the new familiar he'd so painstakingly crafted.
"If I'd known it'd go down that fast, I should've just made two, even if they were lower grade...!"
One unleashed on a ship, the other in the marketplace—that might've netted far greater gains.
It's wise not to dwell on the past, but
"Goddamn it! At this rate, the others will lap me!"
such wisdom was no simple feat.
His assigned task was to craft familiars stronger than before, using the corpses of this world's martial artists.
Before his resurrection, his rank had been too low for anything grand; he was relegated to churning out mere foot soldiers.
The more elite familiars fell to higher-ups, leaving him with bodies mostly at Sword Beginner level, with the odd Sword Expert—third-rate to first-rate warriors by Central Plains standards.
Others had infiltrated massive sects to gauge the lay of the land, spread discord, and snatch high-caliber corpses, but slinking among filthy humans offended his pride, so he'd chosen this path instead.
Kicking the wall in irritation as he delved deeper, another pale-faced man greeted him.
"You've arrived, Master? How did it go?"
"Got shut down before I could even get started properly! Damn unlucky—ran right into a Sword Master."
"Sword Master... That's peak realm, then. Or maybe Flower stage. Either way, a shame. Experts like that don't grow on trees."
"This world's all wrong from the get-go. Knights wandering around without armor or even squires—what the hell are their kingdoms and empires doing?"
"If you're referring to the imperial court, they and murim maintain non-interference. It's the standing rule."
"Exactly, that's the idiotic rule... Hah. What can you expect from barbarians."
The insult to all of Central Plains hung right before his eyes, but the man—now a vampire's familiar—felt no offense.
He simply relayed knowledge as his master desired.
"Shall we deduce the opponent's identity, then? A master like that must have at least one or two nicknames. Any traces of standout martial arts?"
"Swordsmanship... but I couldn't tell. Came to and I was already slashed."
"Well, Master lacks the eye for martial arts, so that's unavoidable. Any other details that stuck?"
"...She was a beautiful woman."
"Central Plains is crawling with female experts. Anything else? Outfit, maybe?"
"Ah. There was a white flower on her robes."
"White flower and sword... Sounds like Mount Hua Sect. They specialize in Illusion Sword and Quick Sword, so odds are high."
The man flipped open a book and scribbled notes in a few spots.
"Something's been nagging at me, anyway."
"Yes. What is it?"
"Do the Sword Masters in this world use Flying Swords?"
"...What's that?"
"Sigh... Infusing a sword with qi to control it via will alone."
"Ah, Detached Sword Control."
Doubt crept across the servant's face as he pieced it together.
"You saw Detached Sword Control?"
"Yeah. From that Sword Master I mentioned."
"..."
Mount Hua Sect. Detached Sword Control.
The servant's expression grew grave.
"You're not mistaken, are you? It wasn't just a thrown sword...?"
"Who do you take me for! Think I'd misjudge that? It wasn't some toss—it flew with clear intent!"
"...Listen closely, Master. If what you saw holds true, and that woman is who I suspect... things could turn dire."
"Why? Why's that?"
"Mount Hua harbors one monster."
Detached Sword Control.
A technique to wield a sword through will alone, without touch—beyond most experts, reserved for the scant few who rank among Central Plains' elite.
Even those capable rarely deploy it, rendering sightings the stuff of legend.
Yet testimonies existed from the Blood Cult war—those who'd fought firsthand or glimpsed from afar.
The Sword Empress had been there.
"How is it?"
"...Not bad."
I'd fretted she might hate it, but thankfully, Lady Shin's expression seemed fine.
"Now I see why the other disciples sneak it in secret."
"...That good?"
"The taste itself falls short of what I hoped... but"
Lady Shin turned her gaze toward the merchants eyeing us.
The merchants whipped their heads away in a panic.
The way they spun the instant she looked—not their first rodeo.
*Snicker*
"...The vibe's delicious."
To think she could savor the atmosphere on her first go.
Talent, plain and simple.
Strong, kind-hearted, and knows how to enjoy a drink.
Part of me ached to groom her into a true companion(?), but honestly? It scared me a bit.
'Even so, turning a Daoist into a lush feels iffy...'
Truth be told, things already teetered on the edge.
If any other Mount Hua Daoists were nearby, they'd probably draw steel, accusing me of corrupting her.
'Nah, corruption's too strong a word.'
Just hanging with a bit-part fortune teller who dabbles in heavenly secrets, sharing some booze—what's the big sin?
Ascend to immortality? Skip it. The world's brimming with fun.
*Gulp*
"One more round, if you please."
"...Don't hold it against me later?"
"You can take responsibility, then."
"Even as a joke, don't say that."
"...What, it's just banter."
I sensed a hint of regret, but brushed it off.
Running into her master or pals later would spell real trouble.
"..."
In the awkward lull, as I choked down more liquor, Lady Shin broke the silence first.
"Got plans for Anhui?"
"Plans?"
"You said travel's the goal. Wondering if you've got a set destination."
"Ah. Yeah, plotted one from the guidebook. First off..."
She listened quietly as I outlined my itinerary.
Famous waterfalls, rivers, food spots—all routed smartly by location.
Long as the maps weren't way off, it'd be solid.
"That's the rundown. Curious?"
"...Brought back memories of a trip to Anhui ages ago."
"Oh? Solo?"
"Back then, with my...... No. My little sister."
Her face held an odd cast, even for reminiscing.
"Sounds like sis stirred up trouble. If she took after you, bet she was pretty and proper."
"...She did. Just like me."
Her reaction hit like a brick.
Mistake. Big one.
'Oh crap.'
Bad blood with the sister, clearly.
'Now what?'
Think, damn it.
Finally got on good terms—can't squander the rapport now.
I racked my brain for a salvage line.
"Eh, shelve the old memories for now. You're with me right now, aren't you?"
"...Huh?"
"Focus on me. No old thoughts, no distractions."
'Nailed it?'
I'd wrung it out by the skin of my teeth.
No guarantee it'd soothe her, but
"...Heh. Alright."
Her softening expression told me I'd handled it well enough.