NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
Seomun County.
Located at the southernmost tip of Guangdong Province, it is one of the two ports where trade tariffs with the Yue Kingdom can be paid, and where ships to Hainan Island are available. There’s nothing particularly impressive to see, but it seems to be a reasonably prosperous trading port.
While walking ahead, Ha-jin casually added that this was also one of the few places where trade with the Western Regions took place.
It almost felt like she was testing to see if I had plans to return.
I shook my head at her question.
“I’m not interested. There’s nowhere for me to go back to.”
I’m not even sure where the original owner of this body lived, and the knight order I belonged to was wiped out in battle. After that, I was captured by the Middle Easterners and sold into slavery.
At that point, my ties to Europe might as well have been severed.
“…Why don’t you consider Hainam Island as your second hometown?”
If I don’t have anywhere else to go, she is offering to take me in. I locked eyes with her, and Ha-jin’s gaze was filled with sincerity.
Living in Hainam Island…
It might not be such a bad idea. After all, I have nowhere else to go, and it won’t be easy to secure a proper foothold in the Central Plains even if I settle there.
If I don’t manage to establish myself before the Third Great Martial-Demonic War concludes, returning to Hainam Island later could be a decent option. Having somewhere to stay and not having one makes a world of difference.
“Thank you.”
“You’ve already done us a great service by fighting on our behalf, so this is but a small token of gratitude.”
“That’s right!”
“If you can’t settle in the Central Plains, you can always come back here anytime.”
Is there really a place for me to settle in the Central Plains?
Even if I build a reputation, there won’t be many places where I can live freely as a colored-eyed person. Ideally, staying near the Martial Alliance until the war ends would be best, but…
It doesn’t seem like that’ll be entirely up to me.
Since I’ve revealed myself in front of the Demonic Sect, they’re bound to try contacting me sooner or later. If it’s someone reasonable, I can just drive them away, but if they send a martial artist of ultra-high caliber, not only would it be dangerous for me, but also for those around me. I need to get stronger.
Ideally, I should aim to break through the Master’s barrier. But… is that even possible?
I managed to reach a certain level with the infinite repetitions and talents of this body, but the Master level is said to be in an entirely different dimension, as emphasized by the Leader.
There was also talk that among so many knights, barely over fifty reached the Master level.
Looking at how most knights who entered this body a decade ahead of me remained stuck at the adept level, it might take me a similar amount of time as well.
Reality isn’t something you can transcend simply by monopolizing opportunities.
The subtle differences between Eastern and Western enlightenment also posed an issue.
Although they say that everything flows into the origin in the end, it’s uncertain whether the insights I’ve gained here will truly help me break through to a new level.
…It’s probably too early to worry about that now, though.
“Elder Baek! So, where are we staying?”
Hye-ryeong, who had been quietly listening, addressed Elder Baek. Elder Baek stroked his beard in thought, then glanced at Ha-jin.
Is he leaving the decision to the eldest disciple?
Ha-jin thoughtfully crossed her arms, then looked down the main road and answered.
“I’m thinking of staying at Qingliu Inn.”
“Isn’t that expensive?”
“We were well compensated, so it’s not an issue. Besides… don’t you get into trouble at cheaper inns more often?”
Trouble.
It seems highly probable, in a classic wuxia cliché kind of way, that going into a cheap inn would lead to chaos. Of course, cheaper inns are inherently more prone to trouble than upscale ones.
Not to mention, with Hye-ryeong along, choosing a low-quality inn isn’t ideal. Though she isn’t the type for luxury, cheap inns often attract unnecessary conflicts, which would be a hassle when she’s wearing her Hainan Sword Sect uniform, adorned with their wave-patterned insignia.
The world is vast, and there are plenty of crazy people around. And if they see a pretty woman, they’re bound to approach, no matter what.
“Uh… I feel bad about spending extra money because of me.”
She sounds so mature for her age.
“No. Thanks to you, we were well compensated. It’s not a bad thing. Moreover, it’s better to spend generously rather than being overly frugal when traveling.”
“Elder Baek is right. Think of it as a good experience.”
“Haha, alright, then I’ll just do that!”
Indeed, Hye-ryeong is more radiant when she smiles. I returned her bright smile with one of my own.
——————
Qingliu Inn, typical of an inn located in a bustling area, exuded a cleaner and more luxurious vibe compared to other places.
The tables and chairs were evidently high-quality, and the visitors, unlike the laborers around the harbor, were dressed in fine attire.
“There are quite a few foreigners here, huh.”
Upon further observation, I see people from Tianzhu (India) as well as the Middle East. So this is what a trading port looks like.
“That’s because this is one of the best inns in this city. Naturally, foreign merchants who come here for trade stay here often.”
Ha-jin kindly answered my casual question.
“So the locals here are used to foreigners! After all, they see them frequently!”
Hye-ryeong added excitedly, then turned to look around. Following her line of sight, I noticed what appeared to be a waiter heading our way.
Is this the typical waiter from wuxia stories who gets bullied?
This high-end inn certainly dressed its staff more lavishly. The neatly tailored clothing with golden embroidery could fool anyone into thinking they’re managers.
Even their walking posture exudes dignity, indicating they’ve received proper training.
“It’s been a while, Elder Baek of Hainan Sword Sect.”
While speaking, his subtle glance at Hye-ryeong suggested that yes, she is quite pretty.
“I visited once a year ago, yet you still remember.”
“How could I possibly forget an elder of the great Hainan Sword Sect?”
“Hahaha… serve us your best dishes. And prepare a large room and a small room… oh, Great Hero William, if you need a private room…”
“It’s fine.”
While having my own room would be nice, I don’t care too much about it. After all, I spent two years without much of a private space to begin with.
Even in the annex of the Hainan Sword Sect, where I technically stayed alone, the frequent visits from Hye-ryeong diminished any sense of privacy.
“I’ll arrange our finest dishes.”
The waiter silently and briskly walked toward the kitchen.
This feels somewhat different from the image I had in mind. Is this why they insisted on coming to a higher-class inn? Here, I’d likely attract less unwanted attention and cause fewer trouble, and since they’ve visited before, the staff would know how to well-prepare everything.
“Hehe, I’m looking forward to it!”
“The food here is absolutely heavenly, so you have much to look forward to.”
“…”
“Oh! Elder Brother, we’re staying at such a fine inn—what a life!”
“Haking, don’t get too excited. It’s unbecoming of you.”
“Ack, sorry!”
“Haking, I’m also looking forward to this.”
“Right? You too, Elder Brother!”
It’s been a while since I’ve heard Musun’s voice. He must feel like he’s the lowest-ranked among us, given how rarely he speaks up. I wonder why this silent martial artist stays so quiet.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I approached the silent martial artist.
“I haven’t properly introduced myself. I am William, or William Marshall, if you prefer. And you are…”
Instead of answering verbally, he pulled out a small wooden tablet from his robes and handed it to me.
What is this? A strange way of communication, huh?
“Great Hero, Jin-sam cannot speak.”
Ha-jin casually explained.
Ah, I see… So who is he?
“Jin-sam is the disciple of Elder Cheon!”
Elder Cheon… I think I’ve met him before, but can’t remember much. His presence suggests he’s a capable martial artist, though.
“I see… good to meet you.”
He nodded.
Though his posture might seem a bit arrogant, it is understandable given he cannot speak.
As we exchanged such small talk, the waiters began bringing out dishes. The table quickly filled with richly oiled fish dishes.
That’s braised fish, that’s grilled fish of some unknown kind, and those are fried shrimps?
“These are our signature dishes. We hope you enjoy them.”
“Indeed, they look delicious.”
When the highest-ranked among us, Elder Baek, picked up his chopsticks, everyone else followed suit. What should I try first? I decided on the seemingly simple-looking grilled fish.
As my chopsticks pierced through the fish’s greenish skin, steam lifted to reveal a pristine white flesh. Wow, high-end restaurants really are in a league of their own.
If only there was some rice too…
Bang!
“…Ah.”
Beside me, Hye-ryeong let out a sigh mixed with astonishment.
I turned my attention from my empty chopsticks swinging in the air to the person who had fallen onto the table.
Rather well-dressed, but judging by their muscular build, likely a martial artist.
That isn’t the point, though.
“Showing hostility in front of sacred food…”
“Mister?”
“Great Hero, unleashing martial intent here would…”
Pushing boundaries?
I picked up the Chinese spoon beside me and stood up.