Chapter 22: Chapter: Anhui (3)

༺ Fourth Chapter – Anhui (3) ༻

Strange Dragon, Zhuge San.

A rising star known by all who live in the martial world.

He was born the rightful heir of the Zhuge Clan, and his bizarre actions had drawn the eyes of the martial world, worthy of his nickname.

What exactly were the bizarre deeds he had done to earn the name Strange Dragon?

If one were to ask, even a random passerby on the street could recount those famous tales.

He once begged on the streets dressed as a beggar.

He swam in a manure pit while working as a farmhand at a local dignitary’s estate.

He even proposed to the wife of the leader of one of the strongest forces in the Unorthodox Path, the Black Origin Society.

His actions were akin to those of a madman, which ordinary people could not possibly understand.

Of course, Mok Riwon did not know about any of this. To him, Zhuge San held only one significance.

“I didn’t expect to be found this quickly... Well, now that it’s come to this, allow me to introduce myself again. I am Zhuge San. Are you indeed the Ink Sword Great Master?”

“Z-Zh-Zhuge...!”

The heir to the Zhuge Clan.

The son of the Formation King, known as the Brain of the Martial Alliance.

A look of admiration and excitement began to rise on Mok Riwon’s face.Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

“That’s right! I am indeed the Ink Sword! It’s an honor to meet a member of the Zhuge Clan!”

Mok Riwon performed a fist-palm salute in an exaggerated manner.

Tang Hwa-seo sighed deeply at his action, while Zhuge San laughed loudly.

“Young Hero, please sit down. There’s no need to be so formal.”

“Oh my, Esteemed Sister is so cold. Let’s see... It has been almost six years since we last met, hasn’t it?”

“I do not recall us being so close as to miss each other. Why? Do you have to be poisoned again before you’ll shut your mouth?”

Zhuge San feigned his fear exaggeratedly.

Mok Riwon, who hadn’t grasped the situation until then, suddenly remembered her background.

‘Ah! Young Lady is also from one of the Five Noble Clans!’

The Sichuan Tang Clan was one of the pillars of the Five Noble Clans.

It was only natural that they knew about each other.

As Mok Riwon felt a sudden distance from her, who had always been kind to him, Tang Hwa-seo grabbed his arm and made him sit down.

“Yes, it must be surprising. I’ve met him a few times in the past, but that was about it. He’s a person you should not pay any attention to.”

Reassuring words.

For Zhuge San, seeing this was both shocking and unfamiliar.

‘Huh...’

Had that Poison Phoenix ever shown such affection to anyone before?

Wasn’t she always detached and sharp-tongued, never allowing anyone to get too close?

A thrill arose inside Zhuge San.

It was his nature, the very ‘curiosity’ that the whole world knew about.

He was a person every bit as curious as Mok Riwon.

No, he might be even worse, considering his tendency to desperately solve whatever curiosity arose.

His bizarre actions often came from his need to satisfy this urge.

And now was no different.

Seeing this new side of Tang Hwa-seo, someone he had known for over a decade since they were young, naturally drew his interest.

“Did you only look? Esteemed Sister, what about the several steamy encounters we’ve had...”

“We’ve fought a few times in the Dragon Phoenix Tournament. I remember whipping you because your mouth was too loose.”

Tang Hwa-seo’s face was full of irritation.

Mok Riwon looked around, trying to grasp the atmosphere.

‘Young Lady doesn’t seem to like Young Master Zhuge very much.’

Mok Riwon couldn’t understand.

Although he knew little about him, Zhuge San treated him with kindness despite having chopsticks thrown at him and did not seem to hold any grudge against Tang Hwa-seo for ignoring him.

Wasn’t this enough to consider him a good man?

‘Hm, perhaps the Young Lady is trying to distance herself from him to protect me.’

To the outside, he was a wandering martial artist with no affiliated sect, so she might be worried that this man from a Noble Clan would harm him.

Why not?

In the fourth chapter of Tales of the Martial Heroes, which follows the life story of the Benevolent Hero, the children of prestigious families often attacked him due to his lowly origins.

‘Young Lady is worrying over nothing!’

Mok Riwon wanted to prove to Tang Hwa-seo that he wasn’t so soft-hearted to be hurt by such things.

“Pleased to meet you! What an unexpected fortune to meet an old acquaintance of the Young Lady! I, Mok Riwon, am honored to have a chance to become friends with Young Master Zhuge today...”

“Now, before that, how about this story? It’s about a widow in this town...”

Flinch–

Mok Riwon trembled.

The sudden mention of ‘widow’ reminded him of Tang Hwa-seo’s story.

–That man proposed to the wife of the Black Origin Society’s leader. He collected a thousand wildflowers and offered them to her in a large bouquet.

So he stood up abruptly and said.

“A-Aha! What indecent words you say...!”

“An indecent widow? Surely... Great Master Mok is not looking at a woman who lost her husband in such a way...!”

“N-No, not at all! I am not that sort of person!”

What a terrible misunderstanding.

Mok Riwon felt his animosity towards Zhuge San growing.

“Y-Young Master Zhuge! I did not see you as that kind of person, but you are truly sly! Is it not you who harbored dark desires for a woman with a husband?!”

All eyes in the inn turned towards them.

Zhuge San felt his amusement rising and struggled to keep his smile at bay.

“Hmm? I don’t understand what you mean, though?”

–What in the world! The rumors were true!

–The Strange Dragon really proposed to a married woman? And a woman from the Unorthodox Path at that?

–Oh my goodness! How could he...

The guests at the inn murmured among themselves, looking at Zhuge San. However, he was not so thin-skinned as to become upset by such comments.

“Is it wrong?”

“Yes! It’s terribly wrong!”

“Strange, huh! I thought I was rescuing a damsel in distress, so why is it strange?”

“Uh, um?”

“Don’t you think? Wasn’t the leader of the Black Origin Society extraordinarily cruel? I just happened to pass by and wanted to help her, who was suffering under his tyranny.”

Zhuge San rose to his foot after Mok Riwon, grabbed his shoulders, and continued his sentence.

“Great Master, let me ask you. Is saving a fragile woman, held captive by a wicked man and living in daily torment, not an act of chivalry? Even if my reputation suffers, if the leader of the Black Origin Society loses trust in her and casts her aside, thereby setting her free, is it not the right thing to do?”

“Uh, uh...?”

“How can it be considered chivalry to turn a blind eye to a sorrowful woman merely to avoid the reputation of a scoundrel?”

Mok Riwon’s eyes shook greatly.

‘A-After listening to him...’

It even seemed to make sense.

Hearing only the rumors, he had one impression, but knowing the full story, Zhuge San suddenly appeared to be an incredible hero.

‘H-Have I been mistaken?!’

...But that wasn’t the case.

The entire story was fabricated by Zhuge San.

He had simply been attracted to the married woman.

“Please answer me, Great Master Mok. Are you, someone who turns a blind eye to the weak due to concern for your own reputation, and judges people based only on what you hear from others...”

Feelings of disappointment emerged on his face.

“...a ‘fake hero’?”

Bang–!

Mok Riwon felt despair, like his world was falling apart.

His hands were trembling, and tears were welling up.

‘I-I...!’

Had his view been too narrow?

Was he the scoundrel, prejudiced by the word of others?

“N-No, I’m not...”

Mok Riwon’s whole body was trembling.

Zhuge San almost couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer.

“Then please... pfft, please tell me! Great Master Mok, no, Brother, what do you think of me...!”

Slam–!!!

“...Ah!”

“What is this bullshit! Young Hero Mok! Did I not tell you to avoid speaking to this man?! Did I not?!”

Tang Hwa-seo had returned after finishing her business.

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