Chapter 68, A Maiden of Peerless Beauty

Translator: StarReader

 

Su Chen and Ah Chou were at the arena, watching several young first-rate experts on the stages. They were looking for one among them to challenge, hoping to achieve five consecutive wins and claim the hundred silver taels.

 

Suddenly, a series of sharp, urgent hoofbeats rang out from the distant street.

 

Someone galloping through the city?

 

Su Chen turned around in surprise. There were more than ten men and women clad in colorful armor, riding their gallant steeds, dashing down this bustling street leading south towards the city center.

 

Leading them was a red-clad girl no older than eighteen, at the peak of her youth. Her delicate brows resembled willow leaves, her eyes clear and bright, framed by long lashes. She had a slender waist, carrying a sword at her side. Dressed in a polished outfit, she exuded an aura of vigor that left everyone in awe the moment they saw her.

 

The ten behind her were similarly dashing and young martial artists, all outstanding figures of their generation. They were tall and handsome, with confident gazes that turned heads.

 

The crowd on the street immediately stirred with excitement.

 

Though Gusu County City hosted many martial artists, they were usually restrained by official oversight and wary of bumping into other martial practitioners. Thus, few dared to gallop through the city streets without regard for authority.

 

Only those with immense power and influence could ignore the constables and casually ride through the city.

 

The martial artists gathered near the arena, and the crowd of onlookers were furious upon witnessing such audacity until they caught sight of the red-clad girl and her entourage. They couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment, their anger subsiding as their curiosity peaked.

 

This group of horse-riding, red-clad girl and martial youths—unmistakably all from the Wu Region’s four groups—every last one of them was a strong, first-rate expert.

 

If it had just been one or two of them, it wouldn’t matter, but these were all top-tier youngsters from the highest echelons of the groups. Who would dare provoke or cross them?

 

Many in the martial crowd exchanged glances, their faces showing discontent. But even the Protectors and Elders, not to mention first-rate experts, uttered a single complaint—not because they lacked courage, but because they themselves were disciples of the four groups.

 

“Young Miss Han Shu, this place was still empty when we left the city this morning. How come there’s a martial arena here and even thousands of people? It looks lively. Should we take a look?”

 

One of the young heroes saw the many martial artists around the stages and reined in his horse.

 

The others did the same.

 

If they could go on stage and show off before the girl, that would be great.

 

“Hmph, aren’t they all just unknowns in the martial world fighting for recognition? None of them are familiar to me. What’s there to see?”

 

The red-clad girl cast a disdainful glance at the arena, where martial youths were sparring and the crowd gathered around. She urged her horse forward toward a luxurious teahouse situated not far from the arena. Dismounting with a fluid motion, she handed the reins to an approaching waiter and hurried inside.

 

She was here for a specific purpose, not to join in the spectacle at the arena.

 

The main street of the southern district was always bustling, with numerous teahouses, restaurants, and inns dotting the area.

 

One restaurant among them had a wide view and excellent street scenery. It was almost entirely booked by a senior figure from the Heaven Falcon Group, with numerous disciples stationed inside and outside for security. Ordinary people couldn’t get close.

 

The other dozen young heroes saw this and abandoned their idea of fighting in the arena. They dismounted and went into that restaurant after her.

 

Su Chen caught a glimpse of the girl. Her stunning appearance was breathtaking, but her arrogant and domineering demeanor made him frown.

 

Ah Chou, on the other hand, was standing on tiptoe among the crowd, eagerly looking at the red-clad girl. His disappointment showed when she disappeared from sight; he regretted not being able to see her for a few more moments.

 

“Who is she? She looks formidable!” Su Chen saw Ah Chou’s eager and adoring expression and was puzzled.

 

“You don’t know such a famous martial figure?” Ah Chou was taken aback before slapping his head: “Oh, I almost forgot. Brother Chen hasn’t been in the martial circles much these years, so of course you don’t recognize her. She’s Young Miss Han Shu, the sister of our Heaven Falcon Group’s leader, Han Ya, a peak first-rate expert and the future head of the group. She’s one of the two top beauties in the Wu Region and has a massive reputation in the martial world!”

 

“Han Shu?” Su Chen was surprised.

 

[Heaven Falcon Group Leader’s sister is so young.]

 

Ah Chou thought about something, and his expression darkened. Comparing people was never fair.

 

He had worked as a server at the Heaven Falcon Inn since childhood, with an ugly scar on his face that made him look even uglier, so he felt deeply ashamed of himself. On the other hand, Han Shu, the Young Miss and future leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, was incredibly beautiful and had a powerful background, having lived a life of luxury from birth with no idea what suffering was. Their life circumstances were as different as day and night.

 

Su Chen was amazed by Han Shu’s age and said, “I heard that Han Ya, the leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, is a Grandmaster expert who has been famous for over twenty years. He must be in his fifties or sixties, right? But this Han Shu looks no older than eighteen. Why are their ages so different?”

 

Ah Chou shook his head and said, “That was the previous Senior Clan Leader who remained vigorous in his old age; he had Han Shu at seventy. So these two siblings have a huge age gap. Moreover, our leader, Han Ya, has never married or had children. Young Miss Han Shu has an extraordinary talent for martial arts and became a peak first-rate expert at such a young age, almost unmatched among the younger generation of the Heaven Falcon Group.”

 

The Heaven Falcon Group was one of the Five Major Groups in the Wu Region, with immense wealth and influence, backed by the government, and considered the top force of the white faction. It owned tens of thousands of acres of good land, hundreds of shops in various counties, and numerous properties and had thousands of third-rate disciples, as well as many first-rate experts.

 

As the younger sister of Grandmaster Han Ya and as the future leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, Han Shu was destined to take over one of the Five Major Groups in the Wu Region. What a glorious position!

 

But she was also one of the two most beautiful girls in Wu County. In the martial arts world, she was naturally very popular, and the people pursuing her were a dime a dozen.

 

“Oh!”

 

Su Chen nodded slightly, thoughtfully. Han Shu’s appearance was indeed worthy of the word beautiful.

 

However, there were a hundred thousand households in Gusu City and nearly one million households in the thirteen counties of Wu County. The south area had been rich in beauties since ancient times. It was impossible to become one of the two top beauties of Wu County just by being beautiful and controversial.

 

Han Shu’s beauty aside, she had a Grandmaster brother, Han Ya, and she was the future leader of the Heaven Falcon Group. Heaven Falcon Group had many first-class masters and countless businesses and wealth. She had to be pursued by countless young heroes in the martial arts world to be qualified to become one of the two best beauties in Wu County.

 

Su Chen was a little curious again and said, “This Miss Han Shu is one of the two beauties in Wu County. With her appearance and background, she deserves it. But who is the other one to be as famous as her?”

 

Ah Chou laughed and said, “Brother Chen, it seems that you need to catch up on your knowledge of the martial arts world. The other great beauty, who is the best in Wu County, is known to everyone in our Gusu City, including women and children. Her reputation in the martial arts world is even higher than Young Miss Han Shu’s. Just ask anyone in Gusu City and you will know.”

 

Ah Chou resisted the urge to speak out and put on an appearance of letting him ask, yet never replying.

 

Su Chen couldn’t help but touch his nose in embarrassment.

 

Well, he hadn’t been in the martial arts world for more than three years, and he didn’t know that there was such a beautiful girl in Gusu who was even more famous than Han Shu.

 

Su Chen grew even more curious. But he was never one to rush; patience was his virtue. Ah Chou, having deliberately teased him with hints, would no doubt keep silent on the matter.

 

These past few days, Gusu City was in a frenzy of celebration, coinciding with its annual martial competition. Given her renowned status in the martial arts community, it was only a matter of time before Su Chen heard her name during his day’s stroll through Gusu City. Perhaps they might even cross paths—though for now, he could simply wander and observe.

 

…

 

The commotion caused by Young Miss Han Shu galloping through the market soon subsided as she and her group of youthful martial artists departed.

 

Meanwhile, the arena was alive with intense bouts between competitors. The crowd gathered at Gusu City’s south square, a hotspot for martial arts enthusiasts, had swollen to thousands. Among them was Li Kui, a senior pharmacist of the esteemed Medicine King Group. Accompanied by his two prized apprentices, Wang Fugui and Li Jiao, he had traveled from the Medicine King Estate to Gusu County City, taking in the action at the arena.

 

Though both apprentices had completed their three-year probationary period and were now full-fledged members of Swordsmanship Hall and Alchemy Hall, they remained under Li Kui’s wing.

 

For inner disciples, having a master for a day meant you had him for life. So they still followed Li Kui, their master, continuing to delve deeply into martial arts and herbalism.

 

Wang Fugui was undoubtedly a man of great talent and charm—his sharp eyebrows and clear eyes gave him an air of elegance, and his posture was tall and proud, fitting the refined demeanor of a young master from a prestigious family. He had the charisma to captivate many young women’s hearts.

 

Li Jiao, on the other hand, was delicate and graceful, her beauty as enchanting as a blooming peach blossom, with the refined aura of a noble lady.

 

Li Kui scanned the surrounding crowd at the arena, his experienced eyes assessing the martial enthusiasts gathered there. He had brought the two disciples to the city to make a name for themselves and gain fame.

 

A grand martial competition was set to take place in Gusu tomorrow, an unprecedented prosperous occasion that hadn’t been seen for decades. The arena provided a rare opportunity for martial newcomers at the first-rate realm to showcase their talents.

 

If a young disciple made a name for himself in martial arts, it would certainly impress the leadership of the Medicine King Group, offering him a swift path to promotion within the group.

 

Li Kui had nurtured Wang Fugui, his prized disciple, over four or five years and held high hopes for him. It was now time for Wang Fugui to demonstrate his exceptional martial skills.

 

With that in mind, Li Kui instructed, “Fugui, this arena is a golden opportunity to gain fame. With your swordsmanship, you’re not much weaker than the young martial experts at the arena. If you can secure three consecutive victories—or even five—you’ll quickly earn a reputation in the martial world of the Wu Region. This will greatly benefit your prospects for promotion within the Medicine King Group.”

 

“Master,” Wang Fugui hesitated, showing some reluctance. “Currently in Gusu County City, the finest disciples from the four groups have gathered. Those bold enough to challenge at the arena are among the best of the best. Securing three consecutive victories might be difficult.”

 

Li Kui sternly countered, “While challenging, you must prove yourself superior to other first-rate experts to achieve fame in the martial world. Otherwise, on what grounds will you rise to prominence and be revered by all? If you dare not challenge the arena, how can you brave the real battlefield of martial slaughter?”

 

Li Kui put his hands behind his back, his face darkened, and he scolded.

 

“Yes, Master! I was confused, and I will do my best!”

 

Wang Fugui said with a guilty look on his face.