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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“Eun Ha-seong, that child… you must take him as your direct disciple.”
“…!”
Hyun Mujin-in’s eyes widened in surprise at Myeong-ryong-geom’s blunt statement.
Shortly after the tournament with the Southern Peak Sect, the elder had come to him with this unexpected request.
Hyun Mujin-in’s eyes narrowed with caution as he replied.
“…I didn’t expect to hear such words from you, the one who took him as a disciple.”
“If he possessed ordinary talent, I might have been satisfied…”
“Hmm…!”
“But he’s beyond my ability to teach. Ha-seong’s cultivation has reached a profound level. Even I struggle to match him.”
“…”
Myeong-ryong-geom was a master who had reached the peak of cultivation.
His martial prowess was among the highest of the elders.
Yet, he claimed he was no match for Eun Ha-seong.
He continued, with a hint of bitterness in his voice,
“Of course, I don’t mean to say he’s surpassed me already. But it’s only a matter of time, Sect Leader.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“I sensed it during the tournament with the Southern Peak Sect. His talent far surpasses even the prodigies of other sects.”
“Hmm…”
“The Seven Dragons and Five Flowers, the pinnacle of younger generation masters? They’re no match for him. He’s not old enough to be considered for the Seven Dragons yet, but once he reaches the appropriate age, his position will be assured.”
“…”
“If he weren’t my cherished disciple, I would be envious, even fearful…”
Myeong-ryong-geom’s words were tinged with a touch of lament.
The treatment of Eun Ha-seong had been a topic of discussion among the elders even after the tournament, a discussion that had kept Hyun Mujin-in occupied for hours, causing him to miss the banquet entirely.
Now, with Myeong-ryong-geom’s personal plea, he couldn’t help but be swayed.
He considered the matter carefully, then spoke,
“…So, what level of cultivation do you believe he’s reached?”
“Hmm, at least the level of a first-rate master. I sensed him manifesting Sword Qi during his match against the Southern Peak prodigy.”
“Hmm! Is that so?”
“I believe he’ll break through to the next level soon.”
“Hearing you say that makes it all the more real. At his age, I was barely making a name for myself among my peers…”
“Moreover, unlike Mu-yeong, Ha-seong isn’t restless. He’s diligent and dedicated, truly befitting the position of future sect leader.”
“…!”
Hyun Mujin-in was stunned.
The position of future sect leader was rarely discussed so openly.
Myeong-ryong-geom’s confidence was remarkable.
The position of sect leader wasn’t solely based on martial prowess.
Character and temperament were also crucial factors.
Myeong-ryong-geom’s words implied he believed Eun Ha-seong possessed all the necessary qualities, disregarding any potential power struggles within the sect.
Hyun Mujin-in was deeply impressed.
With an unwavering gaze, Myeong-ryong-geom continued.
“If you miss this opportunity, you will surely regret it. We must nurture him into Mount Hua’s greatest swordsman as quickly as possible.”
“…”
“No, not just Mount Hua’s greatest. One day, Ha-seong will be a master capable of shaking the heavens.”
“…Alright, alright. I’ve never known you to boast about your disciples. Your words carry weight.”
“So, you’ll accept him?”
Hyun Mujin-in straightened his posture, his expression serious.
“…I haven’t known him for long, but I anticipated this day would come.”
“…”
“I saw with my own eyes how he defeated not only Martial Uncle Mu-gyeong’s daughter but also Yoo Seong-ho of the Southern Peak Sect in just a few moves. I have no doubt about your assessment.”
“Hmm…!”
“If we don’t give him the support he needs now, I will indeed regret it, as you said. I don’t want to have any regrets when choosing my successor. If you, of all people, recommend him so strongly, I will accept him and train him with all my might.”
“So, in other words…?”
Hyun Mujin-in nodded.
“Tomorrow… no, today. I’ll inform the elders that I’m taking Eun Ha-seong as my direct disciple.”
“…!”
“If I make the announcement myself, no one will dare to object.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader…!”
“Don’t mention it. This is simply the natural order of things, following the will of the heavens…”
As he spoke vaguely with a profound air.
Myeong-ryong-geom smiled faintly.
Then he said playfully,
“If you underestimate that kid, you’ll get a big surprise.”
“Hmm…?”
“Once you’ve taken him as your disciple, you’ll understand what I mean.”
“Haha… I see.”
They smiled at each other, their intentions aligned.
Then—Crash!
“Gasp… gasp…!”
“…?!”
Someone burst through the door, almost breaking it down.
Hyun Mujin-in and Myeong-ryong-geom felt a surge of anger, but their expressions quickly turned to shock as they recognized the intruder.
“W-What are you doing here, Muk-geom-ja?!”
“S-Something terrible has happened, Sect Leader…!”
“…What is it?”
“Outsiders… they’ve infiltrated the sect…!”
“What…!”
Myeong-ryong-geom was shocked.
Hyun Mujin-in, regaining his composure, sighed.
He spoke with the authority of a sect leader.
“…Muk-geom-ja, if outsiders were truly attacking and slaughtering our disciples, you wouldn’t be here now.”
“…!”
“Calm down and explain yourself. Who are these outsiders that have you so flustered?”
Muk-geom-ja took a deep breath and regained some of his composure.
“…The Silver River Trading Company.”
“…What?”
“They’ve forced their way into the sect… they’re looking for… him.”
“Him…?”
“Myeong-ryong-geom’s disciple.”
Muk-geom-ja glanced at Myeong-ryong-geom.
He tilted his head in confusion.
“…Ha-seong? Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“We need to assess the situation. Let’s go find Ha-seong.”
Hyun Mujin-in gave the order.
Muk-geom-ja and Myeong-ryong-geom stood up.
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‘I knew they’d come eventually… but this is ridiculous.’
I stood silently, listening to the person in front of me.
My silence seemed to irritate them.
“…Are you ignoring me?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then why are you lost in thought?”
“I wasn’t…”
I replied, feeling slightly wronged.
A young woman, her beauty already blossoming despite her young age, spoke angrily,
“I wondered what kind of whim possessed you to abandon the trading company and run off to learn martial arts. Do you plan to stay here forever, training in the mountains?!”
“…”
“With the Elder Brother bedridden, you’re supposed to be the heir! How can the company function properly with you swinging a sword at Mount Hua?!”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t just apologize! Offer a solution!”
I looked at the beautiful woman before me.
She was Eun Ha-seol, the only daughter of the Silver River Trading Company, and my younger sister.
It seemed she’d finally lost her patience and came looking for me.
I tried to calm her down.
“…Ha-seol, please calm down.”
“How can I be calm?! Tell me oppa, what you’re going to do!”
“…”
I fell silent.
Her impassioned pleas were hitting home.
She was right.
I had a duty as the heir.
But I couldn’t bring myself to agree.
“I don’t want to go back to the trading company.”
“…What?”
“If I go back, I’ll be stuck managing the company, living the life of a merchant. I don’t want that kind of life.”
“…”
She was about to explode again when I offered a solution.
“…But I have a way to resolve this situation.”
“What?!”
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Thanks Chaos!
Hopefully some new chapters soon
I completely forgot he was a rich guy