Chapter 174

And so, at present.

“Look, Confucius! The spring flowers are blooming beautifully!”

“The azaleas blooming among the flowering grasses truly stand out, like the crown jewel in a lavish display. Just like Young Lady Mo Yong—”

“Confucius! Look! A deer!”

“…You brat, Oki-rin…”

It was Mo Yong Joo-hee of Kim Yang-geomhwa reporting everything she saw.

And then there was the sound of grinding teeth from Jo Hak-che, the heir of Black Dragon Clan, Brother Jo.

He was trying to butter up Joo-hee with some flattery, but he was practically treated like an invisible man.

Every time he was ignored, he’d glare at Pang Dae-san, acting like a man hostile toward another man all for winning a woman’s favor.

When it came to women, Jo had a bizarre trait of treating all men like enemies the second a lady joined their company. When they were just men, he was a fun-loving brother (if he could stop begging to go to Big Rice, he’d be an even better brother).

Anyway, women would probably leave the moment they encountered a better-looking man.

Regardless, friendship isn’t like that; I’d rather ask for help than engage in petty hostility.

And on top of that, Jo’s younger sister, Jo Yang-yang, was busy pretending not to watch while sneaking glances at her.

Every time my eyes met hers, Joo-hee would give off a freezing vibe that made the mood uncomfortable, so I found myself staring out of the left window to the point my neck was starting to hurt.

That’s why I truly detest women like this.

The only man around is acting like that, and I’d rather miss the troublemaking beast Hyung-bo than deal with this.

Seriously, if only there were a tiger here.

It’s better to hear that brat’s knife-like voice than endure this.

I can’t take this seriously anymore.

Chang-bin, you’re the only one I can count on. No—

Wait a minute, since we have two women here, Chang-bin would probably just pretend to be mute.

Pang Dae-san let out a deep sigh.

This was truly the worst time.

The only comforting thing was that tomorrow they’d reach Zhangyuan City and join the Mo Yong Clan members.

After all, it’s not like a small town has enough space to accommodate three families from the prestigious Five Great Families.

Furthermore, it wouldn’t be fair for one family to monopolize all the accommodations, so they would have to stay separately.

That would leave the Mo Yong and Jo families apart.

“Look, Confucius! Over there! The clouds are shaped quite mysteriously, aren’t they? It’s like, um, how should I put it, something looks like something else and it’s just fascinating!”

“Well, if I had to say—maybe a snake? A rope? To find uniqueness in such a simple shape, you truly possess sharp observation skills, Joo-hee—”

“Confucius! Look at those people passing by! Are they lovers? Ah, I wish I could stroll in the spring sun like that. Is there anyone for me?”

“…You brat, Oki-rin…”

Oki-rin slowly swept back his bangs, pressing them down with a serious expression.

—

Mo Yongseong was out for a night stroll with his son.

However, where the female beggar should have been, there were only two layers of tatters laid out.

“Ah, she must have gone ahead to practice. This way,” he said, heading toward a desolate clearing assumed to be the practice area.

And then Mo Yongseong finally spotted Qing.

“Huh…”

Mo Yongseong sighed.

How could a martial expert known among the top ten of the world remain oblivious to a mere veil?

Under the moonlight, an enchanting beauty was immersed in a sword dance, a sight more precious than any beauty under the heavens.

Honestly, the daughter often boasted about being the best among the Five Beauties of the Central Plains, but this was entirely ridiculous.

In addition, although her dance resembled the ordinary Moon Maiden Sword, the elegance displayed constantly changed, showing her mastery over the blade.

The finesse of her grace was impressive enough to draw admiration, but sadly, her emotional transitions didn’t quite match up.

But she had indeed accomplished two of the four elements of swordsmanship.

Even among supreme masters, there were plenty who couldn’t manage even one of those!

Hearing they say the martial world is vast, how on earth is such talent living in these rags?

Yet, when speaking of the fiery night, a figure sprang to Mo Yongseong’s mind.

“Hmm.”

As Mo Yongseong made his presence known, Qing turned her head.

The little girl had been aware of his presence but only spotted Mo Yongseong, who had intentionally concealed his aura.

“Little girl, if you’ve come, you should greet me first. Why are you coughing? Ah, are you Arjun’s father?”

“Yes, I came out thinking my son might be bothering someone. By the way, the energy I see is familiar; could it be the Zhu Yang’s Mindfulness Sutra of the Divine Maiden Sect?”

If Arjun was this guy’s son, then he was the head of the Mo Yong Clan.

However, to Qing, he was just the father of her friend, so she made sure to be courteous.

“Yes, I am a disciple under Seomun Sulin. However, due to circumstances, I am not officially enrolled in the sect; I am only known as Seomun Qing, a disciple of the outer sect.”

“Ah, from Senior Seomun Sulin!”

Simultaneously, Mo Yongseong gritted his teeth internally.

That son of the White Guard.

His gaze, brimming with clarity, was so strong it overflowed—how could a beggar dare to…?

It could be frustrating for the White Guard, who seemed nearly blind, to take care of his son in the treacherous martial world.

Of course, Qing appeared care-free, just rolling around without exhibiting the proper beauty etiquette instilled by Seomun Sulin.

“But why do you look like that? As far as I know, the previous High Elder wouldn’t allow something like this.”

“Ah, that’s because… the young lady had her own reasons, and it was an unavoidable decision. Could you keep this a secret…?”

In an instant, her noble demeanor cracked, revealing a mischievous aspect; seeing her like that made Mo Yongseong chuckle softly.

“Sure. I can only imagine how senior’s personality would be. You must’ve hidden your identity due to some situation; it seems I’ve unnecessarily butted in.”

“Not really. Since you’re my friend’s father, if your son is hanging out with a beggar, what kind of noble would just stand by and watch? Instead, I should be saying that the unusual is beautiful.”

Her manners and behavior were so polite she could surely rank as an excellent martial sister in the martial world.

Mo Yongseong smiled blissfully.

In truth, for him, the finishing touch of attire was the face, so looking beneath the veil, there was something agreeable about her beggar-like clothing.

“I see. I can tell you’re achieving something extraordinary! Just looking at your limbs shows you’ve undergone a significant transformation, but it seems you still haven’t surpassed the wall.”

“Yes, to be honest, I underestimated the level of mastery, and I’m feeling the height of this wall quite desperately.”

“Ah! Having peeked beyond once, you will find your way back quickly. Hmm? So how old are you now?”

“I’ve just reached the age of Spring.”

She proudly stated she was twenty years old, and when her master had made the request, she was ready to back it with determination.

‘Becoming a lady’ refers to women around twenty years of age; in Qing’s hometown, it’s wrongly interpreted as “unknown identity.”

“Huh. The senior…?”

Mo Yongseong held back a gasp.

He’d heard rumors that the famed Old Monstrous One of the White Prince had quieted down and there had been no news in the martial world. Who would have thought they were raising such a remarkable person?

Suddenly, it dawned upon him.

The sect leader of the Hwasan Clan had, at one time, issued a ridiculous moniker “Divine Sword” to a student who was probably around the same age as the legendary Old Monstrous One—was he losing his mind or what?

What he was witnessing was completely deserving of the title!

And furthermore, she was only twenty years old!

If two talents of such a level married, wouldn’t they give birth to a child who would surpass the legendary Great Master Mucheondae?

“That kid. If only he had appreciated the opportunity to marry.”

Marrying the Old Monstrous One’s daughter made him feel a little anxious.

—

And while the Blackspot owner and Seomun Sulin were burned with rage, yet another person was boiling with anger.

“How dare those Blackspot bastards! Hah!”

Choi Riyong’s expression turned fierce.

Those suspicious folks were waving gold coins around, trying to extract information about Gyeon Pohee and lure her away.

But the Seolga Merchant Association was the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Hubei branch, protected by the elite warriors of the Divine Sect.

Those attempting bribery were made to spill the truth by the Five Elements principle (Fire, Water, Thorns and Clubs, Iron Pincers, Earth); their backing was indeed those Blackspot scoundrels.

Yet, Choi Riyong was not a master enough to storm into their ranks and massacre all of them.

Nevertheless, he did know a group that could share in his anger.

“Hey there, young friend. “

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m sorry, but could you pass this to the Divine Sect’s Pavilions? It’s a very urgent matter; I’m asking you to treat it as a Major Grant.”

While his words sounded polite, it was really an order.

Furthermore, a Major Grant meant a strenuous relay race for the messengers, quickly delivering the message to the church’s upper echelons.

But on the plus side, given that the Divine Sect had expanded into the Central Plains, they had secured Jurid City beyond the Gansu Province and established a pavilion without traversing that dreadful desert.

Of course, the relay station just had to bring it to the next town, so they wouldn’t need to worry about crossing the desert.

“Understood. I will deliver it as a Major Grant.”

Thus, Choi Riyong’s letter sped off toward the Divine Sect’s Pavilion.