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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Hye-ryeong, Mokgyeong. I have somewhere to go.”
“Huh?”
“Somewhere…to go?”
“Yes.”
They both tilted their heads, confused by my sudden announcement.
I had been handling most of the recent matters alone, so it was understandable that they were out of the loop. I told them my destination.
“The Peng Clan of Hebei.”
“The Peng Clan…?”
“The Peng Clan of Hebei?”
“I’ll use the opportunity to practice my Qinggong.”
If I traveled quickly, I could make a round trip to the Peng Clan within fifteen days. I intended to return as quickly as possible. According to the original story, convincing them shouldn’t be too difficult.
The Peng Clan was known for its…simple-mindedness.
“Mister, are you really going?”
“You don’t have to come if you have other things to do.”
There was no need for them to accompany me. This wasn’t a pleasure trip.
“I’m going wherever you go!”
“I will accompany you, Benefactor.”
“If you insist.”
I had anticipated their reluctance to leave my side. I packed my belongings while they prepared for the journey.
“Be ready by tomorrow morning.”
“Okay!”
“Understood.”
They were experienced travelers, so they knew what to do. I lit the lamp in the darkening room, lay down on the bed, and closed my eyes.
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“Traveling is so much faster now that you’re using Qinggong, Mister!”
“It is convenient.”
“Your Qinggong is already so impressive, even though you haven’t been practicing for long.”
Mokgyeong looked at me with admiration.
…Even with all the praise, my Qinggong was only second or first-rate at best. I couldn’t perform techniques like Walking on Snow Without a Trace or Soaring Above the Clouds.
Walking on Snow Without a Trace was a distant dream.
Qinggong was meant to lighten the body, reduce the burden of long-distance travel, and increase speed. As one’s level increased, such techniques became possible.
However, I hadn’t focused on lightness.
If ordinary Qinggong was like a horse galloping, mine was more like a bull charging.
It lacked finesse and flexibility, but I was confident in its sheer power.
I could smash through boulders and trees if I lost control.
“Mister, are you alright?”
“I just ran into a boulder.”
“Benefactor, normally, people die when they collide with boulders while using Qinggong.”
“Is that so?”
Martial artists died from hitting boulders?
These people who claimed to shatter rocks with their fists and swords were surprisingly fragile. I continued on my way, smashing through another tree.
In any case, our journey was progressing smoothly.
We were heading straight for the Peng Clan, so there were no detours.
We ate and slept at inns, and I dealt with any minor incidents swiftly, ensuring a peaceful journey.
I wished every day could be this uneventful.
“Benefactor, we should reach Beijing soon.”
“Beijing…”
Wasn’t that the capital of China in this era?
I wasn’t well-versed in Chinese history, so I wasn’t sure.
Mokgyeong smiled faintly.
“It’s the largest city in the Central Plains. Many dynasties have chosen Beijing as their capital. It’s a city with a rich history.”
“I see.”
“This is my first time in Beijing!”
Hye-ryeong’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
She was like a country bumpkin visiting the big city.
Having seen countless bustling cities in the modern world, I observed Beijing with relative composure.
Large and magnificent.
Comparable to any modern metropolis.
“Benefactor, you don’t seem surprised by Beijing.”
“I’m sufficiently impressed.”
I offered a vague response and looked at Hye-ryeong, who was practically vibrating with excitement.
She was flapping her arms even more vigorously than when she used Qinggong. She beamed when our eyes met.
Why did she flap her arms like that when using Qinggong? Was that normal? Mokgyeong moved like a ninja.
Unsure of what proper Qinggong looked like, I glanced back and forth between them.
Hye-ryeong continued her excited flapping, while Mokgyeong, his gaze fixed on Beijing, spoke.
“I visited once with my parents when I was younger.”
He seemed lost in thought, his eyes filled with a distant longing.
Childhood memories.
Had I inadvertently triggered some unpleasant memories? Concerned, I placed a hand on his shoulder, and he flinched, looking up at me.
Was his face flushed?
“B-Benefactor, I’m fine.”
“We’re here for you.”
“Y-yes…”
What was this?
Where was his usual composure? He seemed flustered, and I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
Perhaps he was simply feeling emotional?
Or perhaps he was uncomfortable receiving sympathy in this male-dominated world.
Recalling his typically stoic demeanor from the original story, I decided not to dwell on it.
I removed my hand from his shoulder and looked at Hye-ryeong. Or rather, at Hye-ryeong, who was clinging to my arm.
“What is it?”
“Mister, I’m tired.”
“You don’t look tired at all.”
“You’re supposed to play along!”
She was so bold.
I chuckled, watching the audacious penguin puff out her cheeks.
“Alright, let’s get going. I don’t want to spend the night in the mountains.”
“I don’t mind sleeping outdoors as long as I’m with you, Mister.”
“I do. Mokgyeong, let’s go.”
“Y-yes…”
I led Mokgyeong, who was still flustered, towards Beijing.
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The Peng Clan of Hebei.
A prominent family in Beijing. I had heard that some of its members held government positions, granting them various privileges.
And they were a clan of muscleheads.
Let me reiterate.
“…I’m not sure I want to go in.”
Even the guards looked like they reeked of sweat.
I sighed, looking at the massive, muscle-bound figures.
“Wow…Mister, they’re almost as big as you!”
“They look more like bears than humans.”
Ignoring their comments, I walked confidently towards the main gate of the Peng Clan’s residence.
The Peng Clan only respected those who carried themselves with confidence. Showing any hesitation would result in being turned away at the door.
“Who goes there?”
“My name is William. I have business with the Peng Clan.”
I tilted my bamboo hat back. The guards looked at me with surprise.
A familiar reaction.
“A Westerner?”
“Could it be…the Lion Sword?”
“I’m glad you recognize me. Is the Clan Leader present?”
“Yes, he should be training at this hour.”
I pulled out the letter of introduction Zhuge Xian-shang had written for me and handed it to the guard.
“I’ve traveled all the way from the Martial Alliance to meet with Senior Thunderbolt Blade. Would you inform him of my arrival?”
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
The guard opened the gate and went inside. The remaining guard coughed awkwardly and glanced at Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong.
You’re a man too, you know.
I noticed his lingering gaze on Hye-ryeong’s chest, but I didn’t say anything.
Even Buddha himself would be distracted by such a…display. It was force majeure.
A natural disaster of epic proportions.
The awkward silence was finally broken when the guard poked his head out.
“You may enter.”
…Finally, the Peng Clan.
We stepped through the gate.
“When can I meet with the Clan Leader?”
“You can go directly to his quarters. He happens to be free at the moment…”
That was fortunate.
Strike while the iron is hot. A quick resolution was ideal.
“You two wait in the guest room. I’ll be back soon.”
“See you later!”
“Good luck…”
I headed straight for the Clan Leader’s quarters.
“Clan Leader! The Lion Sword, Wi, is here!”
“Bring him in!”
A booming voice, like a roaring tiger, assaulted my eardrums.
Quite a boisterous fellow.
I removed my shoes and opened the door.
And met the gaze of the Peng Clan Leader…
“Are you…alone?”
What?
I froze, bewildered by the unexpected question.
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