Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Visit to the Zhuge Clan
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As soon as I saw the letter, I realized what the request was.
"Is it just delivering this to Uncle Zhuge?"
"That's right."
I gazed at Zhuge Seol-ha for a moment before gently patting her head.
"Tch. You don't have to do that. I'm fine."
How did she know I was patting her out of pity?
She's sharp.
"Just hang in there a bit longer. Once your martial prowess improves and your temperament solidifies, Master will let you visit home now and then."
She had lived her entire life inseparable from her father, only to be suddenly confined to this remote Guryeol Mountain.
No matter that she had a master here or that it was for training—loneliness was inevitable.
Given her young age, it wouldn't be strange if she cried herself to sleep every night, terrified.
'Well, considering her upbringing, she's remarkably mature and doesn't throw many tantrums.'
Even so, being unable to see her family whenever she wanted could hardly bring her joy.
That's why she wanted to send at least a letter like this.
"I'll rush straight to the Zhuge Clan the moment I descend the mountain."
"You don't need to deliver it yourself, senior brother. It takes at least a month to reach the main house."
"I'll be the fastest."
Having reached the second-rate realm, crossing an entire province posed no great hardship.
A nine-year-old-looking second-rate expert?
Factoring in how opponents would drop their guard, I could roam pretty much anywhere without real danger.
'Perfect timing. I need to line up a favor from the Zhuge Clan.'
I had just the right opportunity.
Maybe I could borrow some help from Uncle on the Tea Poison Kill scheme... no, just from Uncle himself.
"Wouldn't it be best if I bring back a reply too?"
"That would be great, but it'd trouble you to return all the way to Guryeol Mountain, senior brother, so no need."
"For my junior sister, this is no trouble at all. I want to bring it back."
'Getting a reply will make the favor... easier to ask for.'
Zhuge Seol-ha fell silent, meeting my eyes.
Sincere gratitude lit up her face.
"Ahem. Now you see what kind of person your senior brother is? So behave. From now on, take good care of me."
Zhuge Seol-ha's expression instantly soured.
"...We're the same age. Fuck."
"Fuck? You little brat, saying 'fuck' to your senior brother?"
"Why not? You just said 'fuck' to me a second ago!"
...You really have to watch your mouth around kids.
"Is the Zhuge Clan's treasured pearl the same as me?"
"When it comes to senior and junior brothers, yeah?"
"......"
Yang-hui suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for everyone around him who'd endured his antics—especially Blood Lord Gu-ak.
He could see how infuriating a clever, quick-talking kid could be.
Well, if words failed, he could always bribe her.
"Junior sister, words are like mirrors. You're pretty, so you should speak prettily, don't you think?"
"...That's convincing."
"See?"
Zhuge Seol-ha fell into thought for a moment.
Truth be told, imitating Yang-hui's speech quirks was fun.
He was the ideal she secretly wanted to emulate—too embarrassing to admit outright, but she watched his every word and deed closely.
'But senior brother has a point.'
She wanted to copy him. Yet reason dictated she shouldn't.
'Then I'll do it like this.'
Having reached a decision, Zhuge Seol-ha's lips curved slightly upward.
"Yes. I'll keep your advice in mind, senior brother."
Unaware of her conclusion, Yang-hui beamed at the polite response.
"Good. Always keep it in mind. It'll nourish your blood and flesh."
Children are like blank canvases.
Yang-hui didn't yet grasp that every word mattered in their presence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On a day just shy of two months since ascending the mountain.
Standing before Yin Hu, Yang-hui bowed deeply and respectfully.
"Master. I wish to return to the main house now."
Yin Hu preferred keeping her disciples close for instruction, yet she nodded readily.
Yang-hui's accomplishments in that time far exceeded even her lofty standards.
"Very well."
"Thank you. Ah, I plan to stop by again in about a month."
He mentioned Zhuge Seol-ha's request, then posed a question.
"If there's anything you need or desire, I'll bring it upon my return."
"Hmm. Such a dutiful disciple, volunteering as an errand boy."
After listing various required items, Yin Hu smiled faintly.
"Then be off. No need for an escort, I presume?"
He wished she'd see him all the way down the mountain, but asking might earn a scolding.
"Of course not, Master."
Instead of heading toward Baek Clan Manor, he descended northward.
He had to deliver the letter to the Zhuge Clan.
'Might as well train the Phantom Sky Steps on the way.'
The Phantom Sky Steps—a lightness skill and foot technique.
His light, gliding steps gradually quickened.
Thus, after about a fortnight.
He arrived at the foot of Yungzhong Mountain in Hubei Province, where the Zhuge Clan held court.
"Whoa. Impressive."
The clan manor lay hundreds of jang away, yet its sheer scale already overwhelmed.
This place seemed three or four times larger than Baek Clan Manor by size alone.
The main house was the grandest in Ak-an County, yet even it had never expanded.
Villages had sprung up around it, preventing additions even back when it ranked among the Five Great Clans.
'They even have gate guards. Time to station martial guards at the main gate too.'
With that in mind, he called out.
"Hm? A young lord with the young miss's letter?"
The gate guard sent word inside. Moments later, Zhuge Seon came flying over.
"Yang-hui! You really brought Seol-ha's letter?!"
"It's been a while, Uncle!"
He offered a courteous fist salute—only to be hoisted bodily into the air.
"Inside, first!"
Zhuge Seon unleashed his lightness skill at breakneck speed, wind clawing at their faces.
'Hm. Is it really fine for the young clan leader to leap across rooftops like this?'
The grounds were so vast it'd take ages without it.
The young leader's quarters sat at the heart of the inner gardens, no less.
The manor sprawled below like a boast of opulence incarnate.
Stone sculptures dotted the grounds. Ornate halls gleamed everywhere.
And.
'So many guards.'
His keenly attuned senses picked out the presences of hidden guards lurking all around.
'Not one is ordinary.'
He could usually pinpoint their exact locations, but not now.
Their auras were faint, nearly imperceptible.
Every one was a high-realm expert versed in advanced concealment arts.
Of course—to claim prestigious clan status, this was the minimum.
A den of dragons and tigers. Truly.
'Someday, the main house too... Still a long road ahead.'
Soon, they reached the young clan leader's office.
Zhuge Seon didn't bother summoning a maid for tea; he simply stuck his head in.
"Yang-hui, the letter—quick!"
"Here it is."
Zhuge Seon's eyes darted rapidly as he devoured the contents.
"Ah, she's doing well. Splendid. Truly splendid."
Eyes reddening, he turned to Yang-hui.
"Thank you for bringing it yourself. I've neglected to host you properly. Tea, at least?"
"No need. Instead, would you write a reply? I'll deliver it to Seol-ha."
Only Yang-hui could enter Yin Hu's abode on Guryeol Mountain.
Zhuge Seon expressed his gratitude once more.
"Nephew, your thoughtfulness touches this uncle deeply. For a reply, I must show it to my wife too. Wait a moment."
He rose, then paused.
"No—let me introduce you to the family while we're at it."
With that, Yang-hui was led to the inner quarters by Zhuge Seon.
"Here is my wife. Greet her."
Thus, he became acquainted with the young clan leader's wife.
"And this is my son, Hwa-un. He's five years your senior."
Not content with that, he even met the young clan leader's son—the future head of the Zhuge Clan.
"Baek Yang-hui, young hero."
Zhuge Hwa-un, Zhuge Seol-ha's older brother, seized both of Yang-hui's hands.
"I've heard so much about you. They say you helped our Seol-ha take that crucial step forward. My deepest thanks. Truly. Truly..."
Unable to continue, Zhuge Hwa-un trailed off.
The siblings' deep bond was palpable.
"No need. Even without me, Seol-ha would have shattered her limits and become Master's disciple. She possesses the talent and resolve for it."
While Zhuge Seon drafted the reply with his wife, Yang-hui chatted with Zhuge Hwa-un.
"Second-rate at your age—truly remarkable! Even with a stroke of fortune, it requires innate talent. Impossible otherwise, fortune or no!"
"No, just luck."
"Luck, you say? And so humble. I have much to learn from you, Baek young hero."
Zhuge Hwa-un was only fourteen himself, yet already a second-rate expert.
His speech, though—he was so young, yet so formal and stiff.
A dull scholar... a scribe, perhaps.
'He suits the Zhuge Clan perfectly, though. After all, Uncle—'Dragonless Twin Dragons'—is the odd one out.'
Still, father and son shared one trait.
They were hopeless daughter- and sister-fools.
"When our Seol-ha was little, oh..."
Over two-thirds of the conversation revolved around Zhuge Seol-ha.
"Yang-hui. The letter's finished."
Turning at the call, Yang-hui saw Zhuge Seon holding the sealed missive, stamped with his seal.
"Deliver it safely—and ask for her reply."
Zhuge Seon tucked it into his bosom.
"Uncle? You need to give me the letter to deliver it."
"Naturally. But I'll hand it over later."
"Later?"
"Ah, I'm going with you."
"...?"
'Does he want to get another reply in person?'
That seemed right. Asking Yang-hui to visit the Zhuge Clan again felt awkward, so he planned to go near Guryeol Mountain himself.
'Perfect. This makes asking the favor even easier.'
"Uncle, isn't it risky for the clan’s young leader to venture out alone?"
"I plan to bring a suitable escort."
"Then, could you lend a hand while you're at it?"
Yang-hui explained the recent Advance Teaching Gang raid.
Zhuge Seon's face twisted in fury.
"Those filthy unorthodox scum dared raid Baek Clan Manor? Without even a pretext? They must crave the reaper's embrace."
Baek Clan Manor was led by Baek Mu-ryang—sworn brother to Zhuge Seon.
Attempting a sneak annihilation on it was tantamount to insulting him.
"It was so brazen, they surely have backing. I've tasked investigators; results should be in by the time I reach home."
"We’ll need to raze them root and stem just to save face. I'll bolster the escort."
Zhuge Seon's "bolster" outstripped Baek Clan Manor's full might by Baek standards.
'Ten peak experts? Whoever their backers, annihilation is inevitable.'
Peak experts were rarities—one per county, if that.
Ten? Only a province-dominating faction could muster that.
'Can't wait to see who steps up at home.'
He smirked inwardly.
'Hm?!'
His sensitive senses latched onto an aura.
A colossal one.
"Why is Father here...?"
Seeing Zhuge Seon's puzzled look, Yang-hui understood.
A resonant voice boomed.
"The Dragon Lord has arrived!"
The doors parted, revealing an elderly man in a Lying Dragon Crown.
A scholar's robe of white, embroidered with a blue-threaded dragon.
Though aged, he radiated not frailty but ripened cunning.
An aura unique to those who debated the realm itself cloaked him.
"Hohoho. So you're the Baek Clan's Yang-hui."
The elder spoke.
At once, several strands of aura slithered like serpents, coiling around Yang-hui's entire body.