[Option One: Step in to help the tofu-seller. Reward upon completion: Fivefold Breath Refinement Technique (Profound Rank, Mid-grade).][Option Two: Ask the surrounding vendors about the situation. Reward upon completion: Soul-Seizing Finger (Yellow Rank, Mid-grade).][Option Three: Leave the area. Reward upon completion: Random Basic Skill Point +1.]
After so many years of "tempering," Hokuto had long understood one truth: never underestimate anyone. Even someone far weaker than you could become deadly if hatred took root. Poison, hired killers, elaborate traps—such methods were impossible to guard against completely.
And if even a single person could pose such a threat, then all the more so with groups. Any gang that managed to survive in a region for long inevitably had backing, or ruthless methods, or both—otherwise they'd have been wiped out long ago.
Now that Hokuto was certain this world itself seemed intent on targeting him, he had to assume that every "small possibility" was magnified infinitely. Someone who seemed plain and unremarkable on the surface might well turn out to have a brother at the rank of Profound King hiding in the shadows—utterly unreasonable.
So, for Hokuto, these choices were nothing new. In nearly every town, there would always be domineering landlords and swaggering ruffians.
These so-called "wanderers" often flaunted the word chivalry in their name, but in truth most were nothing but bullies, oppressing the weak and preying on common folk. Yet, paradoxically, sometimes they would act with loyalty and righteousness, performing genuine acts of heroism.
When Hokuto first encountered such people, he felt they were not unlike the legendary bandits of Mount Liang—heroes who fought corrupt officials one day, but the next, skipped out on tavern bills, or worse, engaged in heinous deeds like selling human-flesh buns or stealing livestock.
And yet, despite their misdeeds, they still called themselves men of chivalry.
As usual, Hokuto chose Option Three without hesitation. He grabbed hold of Fang Akiyo, who had been about to rush forward, and said firmly:
"I've told you many times before—without my order, you are not to act recklessly."
Yanked back, Fang Akiyo's face was filled with indignation. She glared fiercely at Hokuto and snapped:
"And you call yourself a disciple of the Kisho Sect? Isn't it our duty to uphold justice and defend the weak?!"
Hokuto had expected such a reaction. He replied calmly:
"The reason your guardians entrusted you to me is precisely so I can teach you what it truly means to uphold justice here, in the land of Genryu."
"Hmph! I think you're just a coward, afraid of trouble!"
At that moment, Yanagi Shizune stepped forward, gently taking Akiyo's arm.
"Akiyo, we've only just arrived. We don't know this land, nor do we have much experience in the ways of the jianghu. For now, let's listen to Brother Hokuto."
"I…" Akiyo bit her lip, took a deep breath, then gave a cold snort. She reluctantly stepped back to stand behind Hokuto, though her face was still stormy.
'Ah, so young after all,' Hokuto sighed inwardly.
He didn't truly dislike Akiyo's fiery, warmhearted nature. It showed she had a kind and righteous spirit. But kindness alone was not enough to survive in such a chaotic world.
"Come. This is no place to linger."
From his experience with the system, Hokuto knew—if Option Three explicitly said to "leave this place," then trouble was bound to erupt if they stayed.
Akiyo gave another cold huff, but Yanagi Shizune tugged her along to follow Hokuto.
Unlike the two girls, the three Yura sisters only grew more curious about Hokuto.
In the past, the so-called "talented youths" who followed them around were eager for such chances to play the hero. Some even went as far as staging fake conflicts just to impress them, making the sisters laugh until their sides ached, as though watching a troupe of trained monkeys perform.
But this Brother Hokuto showed no desire to display himself in front of them at all. Was he truly timid… or hiding his strength very, very deeply?
'Intriguing…'
All three sisters fixed their gaze on Hokuto's back, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
After winding through several alleys, Hokuto and the group finally found an inn that looked relatively clean. At the same time, the system's voice chimed in his mind:
[Option task completed. Reward: Forging +1.]
"Boy, do you still have rooms available?"
Stepping into the lobby, Hokuto stopped a serving boy carrying a tray of wine.
The boy froze. He'd been watching the entrance carefully all along, yet somehow he hadn't noticed this group entering.
'If the innkeeper finds out, I'll be scolded again…'
He stole a quick glance at the counter, then sighed in relief when he saw the innkeeper wasn't looking. Quickly, he bowed to Hokuto and said:
"Forgive my clumsy eyes, honored guests! Many apologies for the neglect. We still have plenty of rooms available. May I ask what kind you wish to stay in? We have Sky Rooms, Earth Rooms, Human Rooms, small chambers, humble quarters, and the common dormitory. If you'd like, I can show you each one in turn."
Hokuto was about to answer when three options flashed before his eyes:
[Option One: Take a Sky Room. Reward: Eighteen Breaks of the City (Profound Rank, High-grade).][Option Two: Take an Earth Room. Reward: Seimei Sword (Yellow Rank, High-grade).][Option Three: Take a Human Room. Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1.]
'As expected—there's always more wool to shear at the foot of the mountain. We've barely stepped into this town, and already this is the second round of choices.'
Hokuto had seen this kind of setup countless times before. The reason a "room choice" could trigger rewards of Profound Rank treasures was obvious: such rooms were prime fodder for conflict. If he chose the Sky Room, odds were high that some pampered noble's son would come demanding it.
He'd seen it happen far too often: these arrogant brats were loathsome. Even if you gave up the room without a fight, they would sneer, "A dog like you dares sully the Sky Room? You've ruined this young master's outing! Very well—bark three times, and I might graciously spare you."
And even if you swallowed that humiliation, they'd find new ways to torment you—until they'd wrung every drop of misery from you, laughing all the while.
This, however, was also why Hokuto didn't simply camp outside the city to avoid trouble. Attribute points were far too precious to waste, and in his experience, the system never offered only high-difficulty options in such mundane matters.
So he chose Option Three again. After confirming, he asked his companions what kind of rooms they preferred. In the end, they decided on three rooms: one for Hokuto alone, one for Shizune and Akiyo, and one for the Yura sisters.
Hokuto reminded the sisters that a Human Room's bed would never fit all three of them, but they insisted they had their own solution. If needed, they could always rent another later.
Led by the serving boy, the group first arrived at Hokuto's Human Room.
With a creak, the door opened, revealing a bare, rough bed and a square table missing a corner. The five girls frowned simultaneously.
Before any of them could complain, Hokuto glanced at the serving boy, ready to dismiss him—when another set of options appeared:
[Option One: Dismiss the boy immediately. Reward: Sweeping the Thousand Troops (Yellow Rank, High-grade).][Option Two: Tip the boy five copper coins. Reward: Random Basic Attribute Point +1.]
'Perfect.'
Hokuto's spirits lifted. Another easy option. But he couldn't help sighing inwardly—this world really was riddled with traps.
He had rarely seen "tip the servant" choices before, but from experience, he knew the Yellow Rank skill wasn't really the point. Rather, failing to tip might trigger a chain of events leading to serious trouble.
Of course, this was just speculation—but Hokuto had no intention of courting death out of mere curiosity.
So he chose Option Two.
Fishing five coppers from his pouch, he handed them to the serving boy.
"You may go. If I need anything, I'll call."
The boy's face lit up in delight. Bowing repeatedly, he said:
"Ah! Thank you, sir! If you ring the bell, I'll come running at once!"
"Good." Hokuto nodded.
"Then rest well, sir. I'll take my leave."
(End of Chapter)a