"Wait—this script is all wrong!!!"
Hokuto froze in shock. Hadn't he chosen the simplest option—number three!? How had he still ended up falling right into a trap!?
From the moment he realized the visitor was Protector Uman, of the Suikyo Hall, Hokuto knew this was definitely the aftermath of that mess stirred up yesterday by Yanagi Kojin. He had assumed the system's choices would continue helping him get through the crisis, but to his horror, everything had circled back again.
And serving as Kojin's Iron Seal had been listed as a mid-tier Earth-grade choice!
No, no… this can't be the end of the script. The system wouldn't screw me over this badly.
Startled by Hokuto's sudden reaction, Uman narrowed her phoenix eyes at him and asked,"So? You're unwilling?"
Just as Hokuto was about to answer, three glowing options appeared before his eyes.
[Option One]: "I am truly grateful for Protector Uman's trust, but this disciple is currently burdened with pressing duties and cannot leave Ranshin Hall."*Reward: Dragon-Breaking Strike (High-grade Profound Technique).
[Option Two]: "It is not that this disciple is unwilling, but rather, in recent days I've gained new insights into Go strategy from the records, and I wish to remain here on the mountain to play several more matches in the Assembly, so I may fully comprehend them."*Reward: Lotus Profound Arts (Low-grade Yellow Technique).
[Option Three]: "Of course not. This disciple is simply a little overwhelmed by the honor."*Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1.
This system really wants to push me into a pit!!!
Though Hokuto had lived with the system for five years, and had gotten fairly good at guessing the meaning behind its options, sometimes it still threw choices at him that left him utterly clueless.
He quickly analyzed the three:
Option One — If he brushed Uman off too casually, even though the reward was a powerful high-grade Profound technique, it would surely lead to a lot of trouble later.
Option Two — A more reasonable excuse than the first, but still risky depending on how she took it.
Option Three — The strangest of all. How could agreeing to become Yanagi Kojin's Iron Seal possibly be the best choice? Yesterday, that had seemed disastrous…
But then Hokuto remembered. A flash of clarity struck his mind—he understood now!
The reason that choosing to be Kojin's Iron Seal yesterday had been listed as a mid-tier Earth-grade reward wasn't because the trial itself was difficult. It was because by helping her, he would have provoked trouble from that meddling Brother Kō who had descended from the sky.
The reward's grade hadn't reflected Kojin—it had reflected Kō!
So then… if I agree here to Protector Uman's request, there must be some reason that Brother Kō won't come after me this time…
Having reasoned it out, Hokuto selected Option Three, bowed respectfully, and said:"Of course not. This disciple is simply overwhelmed by the honor."
[Option Task Complete. Reward: +1 Music Skill.]
The reason Hokuto had analyzed so carefully this time—rather than simply picking the easiest choice, as he once did—was because he had learned from bitter experience. Whenever an option with an Earth-grade reward appeared, everything that followed demanded extreme caution. Otherwise, things could turn out like the incident with his junior sister—where even the simplest choice had spiraled into a high-difficulty nightmare.
That was the last thing he wanted!
"Mm." Protector Uman nodded with satisfaction."Then it's settled. The day after tomorrow, I'll bring my disciples to find you."
"Yes, I shall follow Protector's will," Hokuto replied promptly.
His smooth agreement pleased Uman. She knew that Kojin's sour mood the previous night must have been because of being refused. She had worried Hokuto might try to wriggle out of it again with some flimsy excuse—if he had, she would've had to encourage him more forcefully.
But judging from his behavior, this disciple clearly still respected her authority.
And besides, she had already begun to feel a pang of regret for him earlier. Now, the more she looked at Hokuto, the more pleasing he seemed.
"Hokuto," she said warmly, "I see that you're skilled in music, eloquent in literature, and since you're of Ranshin Hall, your Go skills must also be excellent, no?"
"Protector flatters me," Hokuto said modestly. "I have only dabbled a little—hardly worthy of being called proficient."
"There's no need to be humble. I understand your thinking. You feel your cultivation path is blocked, so you've decided to seek accomplishment in other fields, isn't that right?"
Seeing Uman's expression as though she had already pierced his very soul, Hokuto simply nodded along and said:"Protector's insight is sharp indeed—this disciple's little thoughts have all been laid bare."
"Hahaha, Hokuto, you really do know how to speak. What sharp insight? Any clear-eyed person could see it."
She patted his shoulder lightly, her eyes gentle as water as she encouraged him:"But you don't need to despair so soon over cultivation. I've heard of many experts who stumbled greatly at the Qi Refining stage, yet once they broke through, they soared into the heavens and became mighty figures in their own right."
"Thank you for Protector's encouragement. Your words will stay with me always."
"Mm. That is why I tell you—not to spend all your time on elegant pursuits. Devote more hours to practicing the Guiding Heart Method. If there's something you don't understand, come to me. I'll teach you personally."
This… Hokuto hesitated. In Guiding Heart Sect, the boundaries between halls were strict. For a disciple of Ranshin Hall to go asking advice from a Suikyo Hall Protector—wouldn't that be seen as an insult to his own hall's leaders?
Noticing his unease, Uman asked with a smile:"Tell me honestly—has Chō Kakukei ever tested your cultivation?"
Hokuto shook his head."The Hall Master has never come. But Sword Protector Hō Gyokuryū did test me once."
"And what did he say?"
Hokuto smiled faintly."He told me everyone has their own strengths, and one should focus on what one excels at for the best results. I thought his words made a lot of sense, so—"
"He told you that… cough." Uman cleared her throat and shook her head."No wonder you've remained a registered disciple of Ranshin Hall for five years. That must have been Gyokuryū speaking on behalf of your hall's upper ranks, cutting off your cultivation path outright."
"Sword Protector Hō meant well. At the time, I had already failed three years in a row, so—"
"Ahh~" Uman interrupted him with a sigh."His words hold some truth, but they're not the whole picture. You're only twenty. I've even heard of people who broke through at thirty and eventually became overlords! Believe me—you still have every chance."
Not letting him respond, she pressed on:"If you truly want to cultivate, then come to me. If trouble arises, I'll cover you. Worst case, I'll just bring you over to Suikyo Hall myself. Your Hall Master Chō won't protest."
Hokuto waved his hands quickly."Actually, the stewards of my hall have always looked after me. It's just… lately, I've taken a stronger interest in the way of Go, and so I—"
"There's no need to say more." Uman shook her head."I know this is only a façade. That lost look in your eyes when cultivation is mentioned—it doesn't lie. You're only burying yourself in Go to numb the disappointment. Am I right?"
Seeing her once again act as though she had pierced his very soul, Hokuto almost wanted to shout aloud:
"I'm not! I didn't! You're wrong!!!"
(End of Chapter)