“…That’s correct.”
“I see.”
Seo-ryeon glanced at me with an expression of mild curiosity, wondering how someone like me, a colored-eyed person, had come to be associated with the Hainan Sword Sect.
“Could you excuse us for a moment? I’m about to eat.”
As far as I know, while I’m a fairly important character in the original story, right now, nothing is more important than eating. Nothing is sadder than letting delicious food go cold.
“Aah, Seo-ryeon young lady. It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while…”
Ha-jin subtly interjected herself into the conversation.
Judging by her somewhat welcoming expression, it seemed that they knew each other. Seo-ryeon only briefly glanced at Ha-jin and then turned her focus back to me.
“Do you have any business here?”
“…I’m just curious.”
Can’t you just leave now? Hye-ryeong, who’s sitting across from me, seems like she’s about to get annoyed.
“Miss, we don’t have much time…”
A bodyguard standing behind her spoke with an awkward expression. It was clear that there was some sort of schedule involved. Perhaps the bodyguard was giving me an excuse to dismiss myself politely. After all, the bodyguard needed to take her lady to take care of some business, and I just wanted to eat in peace.
Since our interests aligned, it was only right to let her go quickly.
“It seems like you’re short on time. Why don’t you go grab some food quickly?”
“Then I’ll see you later.”
Not really, I don’t particularly want to see her again.
With that, Seo-ryeon threw a bomb and left.
“…When did you two meet?”
“Do you remember what I said on the mountain we passed before arriving in Wuhan?”
“Eh…about the stream?”
“That’s where I met her.”
At that, Hye-ryeong let out a small “Ah,” nodding as if everything became clear. Her eyes then shifted to me in a peculiar way.
“What?”
“How strange… I wonder why Seo-ryeon young lady was there.”
“According to her, she was just strolling.”
Whether she was actually just strolling or had other motives, I had no way of knowing. Since she herself said it was a stroll, there’s no reason for me to pry further. Entangling myself in something prematurely would only bring more harm than good.
She is, after all, one of the Wu Lin Five Beauties or something like that, and one of the most famous beauties in the world. Naturally, there are many who try to get close to her.
Just look at the episode where the Lord of Murong Mansion challenges the protagonist after seeing her, forcing a duel over martial prohibition. I don’t fight for fun, and there’s no reason for me to incite such situations.
Not to mention, sticking out already as a colored-eyed person, I can’t even tell how things might twist if I get entangled in her affairs.
Even though the protagonist is affiliated with the Martial Alliance, I, at least as an outsider, might face far more complications. I can already feel the intense stares around me.
Although it’s possible that the Murong heir is somewhere nearby…hopefully not. Nothing is more annoying than a hotheaded young noble causing trouble.
“…Let’s eat.”
To defuse this awkward situation, one must be shameless. Picking up my chopsticks, I began eating, and slowly everyone else started as well.
It was an irritating yet quiet meal; one could only guess whether they ate through their mouths or noses.
——————-
“…Mister. It’s morning.”
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knocking on the wall and a muffled voice brought me out of sleep.
Do I enjoy waking up this way?
I got up from the bed, neatly arranged the blankets, and opened the window. A cool breeze swept through my face as the window opened.
Seeing the dimness gradually fading, it must be just before the sun rises.
After quickly changing into my clothes, I washed my face with the water I had set aside from yesterday. The cold water revived me completely, chasing away the last remnants of sleep.
Let’s head to the meditation room to start some qigong.
Walking over to the bed, I tapped on the wall and said,
“I’ll be practicing meditation; call me after half an hour.”
“Alright~”
I immediately closed the door to the meditation room and sat down in a lotus position.
…It’s completely quiet.
Unless someone decides to break down the door, no one will disturb my meditation.
“…Inhale.”
Let’s begin.
Closing my eyes, I turned my mind inward.
After lying dormant from disuse, the mass of energy accumulated in my mana core slowly unraveled. Once freed from their confinement, the orichalcum energies began circulating throughout my body, enjoying their newfound freedom.
I immediately seized the energy, pulling it back and forth through my muscles, repeating the process.
After all, a martial artist’s body is the most important element; ki is merely supplementary. No matter how skilled, a martial artist can’t swing a sword without muscles.
Though it’s not impossible to use only energy, what’s the point of swinging something without substance?
The muscles infused with energy expand and contract repeatedly, while the mana core replenishes the energy expended.
The mana core behaves much like a muscle, replenishing the energy lost as it grows stronger through repetition.
Just like completing one cycle in exercise, I drew the energy back to the mana core after one meditation session. Steam-like heat rose from my body, which had been swept through by the orichalcum energy.
“…Exhale.”
Breathing out, I started another cycle.
…Let’s think a bit.
The first thing I should do is find the main character of the original story, Dan Mok-kyeong.
The time period isn’t exactly precise, but judging from the early parts of the story, this should be around the time when she either joined the patrol team or came to take the entrance exam.
Since patrol team exams happen irregularly, it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact timing, so my best bet is to go to the patrol team first and search for Dan Mok-kyong there.
Assuming the timing aligns, I should be able to see Dan Mok-kyong there.
Or it might not be a good idea to go look.
If word gets out that I’m searching for the protagonist, it might draw attention to her.
It’s uncertain how the main character’s actions may have changed because I interfered with the original storyline. For now, it’s better if she stays out of the spotlight.
After all, the protagonist didn’t truly stand out until roughly six months after joining the patrol team. Let her gain experience slowly; it might be advantageous to me too.
Of course, assuming the protagonist actually exists.
…That’s quite the issue.
What if Dan Mok-kyong doesn’t exist?
Can I stop the Demon Sect?
To face the Celestial Horse, one should reach the peak of the Hwa Kyung martial art.
Very few even among the great experts have ever reached such a height. Can I do it?
Even the protagonist, who demonstrated an incredible growth rate by becoming a supreme expert within one and a half years, starting from the lower tier, achieved it through unparalleled talent and fortune.
Even with such talent, the protagonist managed merely to destroy the Celestial Horse in a mutual death; can I achieve that?
…The future feels bleak.
Still, since I’ve decided to stay here, I have no choice.
Die or kill.
If I don’t defeat the Celestial Horse, the Central Plains will be completely devastated. And it’s almost impossible to escape to the West at this point.
It’s better to expel the Demon Sect from the Central Plains by somehow killing the Celestial Horse and live peacefully here.
From the battlefield, I’ve returned to another.
What a lovely world this is.
Still…let’s give it a shot.
I slowly recalled the key events from the original story.
The Martial Prohibition Contest, the Young Warriors Assembly, the emergence of evil ones, the chaos caused by the Yangtze River Water Bandits and the Green Forest Band, secrets of the Five Great Clans, meetings with the previous high-level experts of the Nine Major Sects…
…The death of the Martial Alliance Leader.
It’s going to be a very busy schedule.
I finished my meditation and opened my eyes.
Having spent enough time gathering energy, it’s time to achieve my first goal.
Walking back to the bed, I tapped on the wall and said,
“Hye-ryeong. Let’s go eat.”
“…”
She must be meditating.
I walked out of the room and checked Hye-ryeong’s door. The closed door was as impenetrable as a fortress.
I could leave first, but she’d be upset.
She’s childish and easily gets mad.
While thinking so, I leaned against the wall and looked ahead.
Since the central area was wide open, the rising sun was gradually lighting the floor with its glow.
“…Sigh.”
Squeak.
“Ah, Mister? Were you waiting?”
“We need to go eat, and there are places to visit afterward.”
“Places to visit?”
Hye-ryeong tilted her head, looking up at me. Her braided hair swayed in one direction.
“I want to visit the patrol team after eating.”
“Why the patrol team?”
“…To conduct preliminary research. It wouldn’t be bad to know a bit in advance which team might be good if I join the Martial Alliance.”
“Then I’ll come too!”
She’d likely follow even if I didn’t say anything.
I nodded in agreement to Hye-ryeong’s suggestion.
