Chapter 71, Young Heroes

Translator: StarReader

 

Manager Liu noticed Young Miss’s expression of disregard, realizing she was judging people by their appearances and looking down on those from humble backgrounds.

 

“Young Miss, do not be so short-sighted! It is precisely because Ah Chou is a disciple of our group that he lacks a powerful background, making it all the more worthwhile to foster his loyalty. Think back to when your father and elder brother painstakingly built Heaven Falcon Group for nearly eighty years, recruiting numerous talents from humble families, treating them with utmost sincerity, and receiving their unwavering assistance. It was through this effort that Heaven Falcon Group was established and entered the ranks of the Wu Region’s Five Major Groups.

 

“Heaven Falcon Group’s legacy will eventually pass to you, and Young Miss will need to nurture individuals who are willing to face the fires of hell for you to firmly grasp the authority of a leader. Otherwise, having the title of Heaven Falcon Group Leader with no capable men will mean you are unable to control the power of the groups or restrain the dozens of Elders and Protectors who have spent many years with us. Not to mention deterring those who covet our group from beyond the martial world.

 

“When a great storm arrives, without loyalists willing to shield you from the crossfire, how will Young Miss withstand the siege of countless experts? Ah Chou has been cultivating for four or five years, showing a relentless dedication to himself; he is an exceptionally promising individual. Supporting such a rising talent will stabilize the veteran Elders and Protectors within our group and deter those who covet our assets.

 

“Leader has even publicly declared that Ah Chou will one day shake the martial world and command respect. He is young, and his name has yet to be spread in the martial world, making this the best opportunity to win his loyalty.

 

“Furthermore, Young Miss is not getting any younger, and you must consider a suitable match within the next few years. Numerous talented young men from the groups are vying for your attention. However, they all have their own families and group backgrounds, perhaps scheming to swallow the vast Heaven Falcon Group.

 

“If Young Miss were to marry one of them, it would be akin to making a deal with a devil; how could you easily believe their devotion? Leader has also instructed that your future match should preferably be someone from among the younger generation of our group, someone among the disciples you trust.

 

“Either choose a suitable partner from among the high-ranking children of our group.

 

“Or simply choose someone like Ah Chou, an orphan from a humble family with no background, who, with a little fostering, will be able to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to Young Miss and could become your greatest asset in controlling Heaven Falcon Group. Just think about it.”

 

Manager Liu sighed softly and earnestly advised. Those elders of their generation had experienced these matters and naturally knew which disciples were worthy of trust and investment.

 

Han Shu frowned, feeling greatly displeased.

 

Manager Liu’s words were becoming increasingly absurd; not only did he expect her to nurture Ah Chou, but he was also suggesting she consider someone like Ah Chou as husband material.

 

She didn’t even harbor the slightest desire to get close to Ah Chou, let alone become his wife.

 

Han Shu’s demeanor cooled, and she stated decisively, “Uncle Liu, that’s never going to happen. Stop talking about it! My husband must be a peerless hero from the Wu Region, an invincible genius. Even if he can’t compare to my brother, a Grandmaster, he must be many times stronger than me, a peak first-rate expert!

 

“There were so many young talents in the Wu Region Four Great Gangs, many outstanding inner disciples with extraordinary talent. I recognized most of them, yet they didn’t impress me.

 

“This Ah Chou is merely an unknown figure in the Heaven Falcon Group. Even if he were a first-rate expert with some decent martial arts, what does that matter? Our Heaven Falcon Group has no fewer than fifty or sixty first-rate experts, ranging from young geniuses to our clan’s senior figures—too many to count. There’s no need for him.”

 

She had an exceedingly high opinion of herself.

 

If she couldn’t find such a peerless hero, she would rather not marry than compromise and marry someone commonplace.

 

Manager Liu sighed helplessly, knowing Han Shu’s pride.

 

But choosing a husband based on her brother, Heaven Falcon Group Leader Han Ya, was simply too high a standard.

 

The Heaven Falcon Group Leader was a Grandmaster second only to Daoist Han Shan, the Wu Region’s foremost peerless assassin. Who could compare? Even other Grandmasters could not compare.

 

And Han Shu herself was a peak first-rate expert. To surpass her by several times, one would certainly need a Grandmaster’s strength.

 

Where in the Wu Region could there be so many Grandmasters? The most recent Caravan Guards gang leader, Li Shuo, had achieved his Grandmaster status a decade ago and already had a family.

 

Manager Liu continued to advise with effort, “Common and ordinary individuals, Young Miss, you would naturally not consider. If you don’t like Ah Chou, it’s likely Leader wouldn’t force you. But Young Miss still needs to put some effort into properly nurturing Ah Chou, making him willing to serve you! He has a simple and unblemished background and is trustworthy and also a young, first-rate expert with potential—he is a talent rarely found in our group.”

 

Han Shu had long since grown tired of listening.

 

But Manager Liu was a staunch confidant of her brother Han Ya, a core high-ranking figure in the Heaven Falcon Group.

 

Normally, her brother was immersed in martial arts and constantly secluded in cultivation, rarely seen throughout the year. The group’s internal affairs were all managed by Manager Liu, overseeing the vast Heaven Falcon Group. The Heaven Falcon Group’s power in the Wu Region was currently at its peak, ranking second among the Five Major Groups, a testament to Manager Liu’s great contribution.

 

One could say that, apart from her brother’s personal involvement, almost all the Heaven Falcon Group’s affairs were decided by Manager Liu. The experienced leaders of each hall, Protectors, and Elders also followed Manager Liu’s instructions.

 

She might be the future Leader of the Heaven Falcon Group, but she was still only seventeen or eighteen years old and held little influence. She was far from wielding the significant authority of the Heaven Falcon Group.

 

Moreover, her father had already passed away, and Manager Liu had raised her from childhood; they were practically kin.

 

Manager Liu’s earnest persuasion was not something she could openly reject, so she could only reluctantly agree for the time being and make plans later.

 

“Alright, Uncle Liu, I understand! I will consider it. I’m going out.”

 

Han Shu had to placate him.

 

She concocted an excuse and left the luxurious private room, feeling quite unhappy.

 

This Ah Chou was so highly valued by Manager Liu and even by her brother—why?

 

It was merely winning a three-bout streak in the arena. If Ah Chou lost, Manager Liu, disappointed, likely wouldn’t mention it again.

 

Outside the luxurious private room, in the living room, over a dozen young scions of various groups and young martial heroes were waiting for her, all her pursuers.

 

In terms of martial reputation, family background, or martial prowess, they were all extraordinarily talented and handsome, all first-rate experts—far surpassing Ah Chou.

 

Among them was Wu Qing, son of Vice Leader Wu Changqing of the Caravan Guards, a young master who specialized in the whip, the foremost whip expert of this generation.

 

There was also Han Yun, son of Leader Han Pingshan of the Iron Sword Group, a greatsword expert with a dignified demeanor.

 

“Who among you will take down that ugly face from the arena?!”

 

Han Shu inquired.

 

“Take down that ugly man?”

 

The hall fell silent; the dozen young experts frowned.

 

They had been upstairs, bored, and had taken the opportunity to watch the arena battles, quite surprised by the strength Ah Chou displayed in taking the stage.

 

This Ah Chou possessed an extraordinary strength, winning three consecutive matches, defeating a sword master from the Medicine King Group and two young experts from smaller groups. He was among the upper echelons of first-rate late experts.

 

Given their ‘noble’ identities, these young men were either sons of a Leader from the Medicine King Group or sons of a Vice Leader from one of the four groups. They were already renowned throughout the martial world and were objects of flattery for martial disciples. They had no need to make a name for themselves in the arena.

 

Their earlier talk of a friendly sparring match in the arena was merely to show off in front of Han Shu, not to use the arena to gain fame.

 

With their noble status as young masters of renowned clans, they naturally wouldn’t take Ah Chou seriously.

 

However, personally challenging Ah Chou, this young expert, was another matter.

 

Even with their abilities, they weren’t that confident of beating Ah Chou.

 

If they were to falter and lose, they would lose respect in front of thousands of martial disciples in the Wu Region while lifting Ah Chou to new heights.

 

Afterward, any mention of this rough-looking man in the martial world would be, “This is the young expert Ah Chou who defeated the son of some Vice Leader, or defeated a Leader from a certain group!”

 

Where would they go from there?

 

The risk was too great; the costs outweighed the benefits.

 

For a time, the dozen young heroes fell silent.

 

They wondered why Han Shu suddenly became infuriated with this rough-looking man in the arena after meeting with Manager Liu and wanted to force him off the stage.

 

“What, you always brag about being so amazing that no one can match you. So why are you cowering from fighting a first-rate expert that had three consecutive wins?”

 

Han Shu observed their hesitant expressions, carefully weighing the consequences of defeat, and felt quite disappointed.

 

“Very well, since Young Miss Han wants to intimidate that ugly man, I will gladly walk into the flames; it is my duty!”

 

“Young Miss Han, wait a moment. It will only take a moment to defeat that ugly man. I’ll be right back.”

 

The young and talented heroes, spurred by Han Shu’s cold words, couldn’t simply remain in place and immediately braced themselves and went downstairs to challenge at the arena.

 

If they couldn’t even accomplish this small task, they would certainly fall in Han Shu’s eyes, and there would be no hope of pursuing Han Shu.

 

Although their chances of winning at the arena were not high, they still had to try.

 

Whether to lose face or lose Han Shu’s favor, they could still discern which was more important.

 

If someone could defeat Ah Chou at the arena, Han Shu might be pleased with them. While not enough to earn her love, at least they could earn Young Miss Han’s favor, giving them more opportunities to pursue.